le 1B, "8 en le. fot are The 10" f° “eb et ie ome IN OUT Cae PO oy ae Ee ie a 2 ee Fae PAY ine ey ) SS o neh WO QW! : . Entered According to Act of Congress, in the Year 1895, by Street & Smith, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. Entered as Second-class Matter at the New York, Y., Post-Office. Subscription Price, $2.50 ae Ye ie No. ele STREET & SMITH, Publishers, Vol. 10. 29 Rose Street, New York. JACK FERDHAM, SECOND MATE; THE THREE MYSTERIOUS BIRTH-MARKS. A STORY OF THE GREAT LAKES. a l BY CLARENCE CONVERSE, Author of “Captured at Sea,” “Dick Oakley’s Adventures,” ete. CHAPTER I. | and pitched him out into the water for the | third time, with a laugh in which the assem- AN INCIDENT AT THE ERIE BASIN. bled roughs joined == The little shivering, brownish-yellow | shore, sticks and stones were pitched in to BOY'S FIST SHOT OUT, LANDING ON HIS ANTAGONIST’S RIGHT SHOULDER AND SENDING HIM INTO THE SHALLOW WATER WITH A GREAT SPLASH . Then, when the friendless cur came to the PA HERE! in you go again!” jsurface and struck out desperately for + > THE dog whined piteously, but the rather | impede his progress. One of these struck his : 1 under again. -) Car nattily attired youth of about sixteen | small head, forcing bim u when found, had been holding him, swung his dripping body back! The little fellow that, ~ 4066 foraging about along the pier for a bone or a crust, would drown should the rough treat- ment be continued much lor Rs The scene was taking place a vessel-crowded wharves of the 3 of Buffalo, New York, at the end of a slip where the piling had rotted away down to the water. The lour s who had collected “to see the fun’’ when the young fellow who was the center of the group had pounced upon the unoffending little dog, were, for the most part, from the canal and other boats near by—a tough, reckless crowd, as any one who has visited these localities will attest. A loud laugh went up as the stone struck, but then the attention of all was diverted to a youth running down the pier toward them. : He sprang down upon the ballast of the | dock and confronted the boy in the semi- naval clothing,’/an indignant frown marring what otherwise was a frank, manly, deeply- tanned face. ’ ‘‘You despicable coward!’’ he exclaimed, in a low voice, tremulous with indignation. ‘*What’s that?’’ | | The look of amusement with which the well-dressed youth had been enjoying his sport changed in a manner which showed that he was the possessor of a vicious tem- per. “So you cwn this dirty cur,’’ he con- tinued, clinching his rather sinewy fists. ‘“‘Well, you’re a nice-looking pair!’’ was his sneering conment, as he glanced loftily over the clean, though well-worn clothing and faded sailor hat of the new arrival. The crowd formed in an expectant circle. A glance had assured the shabbily dressed boy that the dog would be able to regain the shore, now that he was unmolested. | “He isn’t my dog, but I'l not willingly see any defenseless beast tortured,’’ was his quick reply. The other boy perhaps misconstrued the exact cause of the slight tremor in the speaker’s voice, and fancied it to proceed from fear. *‘Oh, you won’t! semi-naval clad youth was about to say. He struck out murderousky with his clinched fist, his face dark with passion. But the poorer clad boy avoided; the blow. His fist shot out straight from the shoul- der, a quick swing of the body adding all of its weight to the blow which landed fair be- low the other’s right shoulder, and sent his antagonist, natty uniform and all, into the shallow, sewage-filthy water with a great splash! i The young man who had championed the poor ‘log, backed up against a small shed and faced the crowd with a piece of a broken oar snatched up from the general | debris collected in the slip. Though he did not regret his act for a mo- ment, he felt that his hastiness had got- ten him’ into, a rather uncomfortable posi- tion. This same feeling prompted another lad of about his own age—friendly-looking, though likewise roughly dressed—who had witnessed the latter part df the above scene, to drop from the rail of a neighboring canal-boat, and, picking up a second stick, to hurry to his side. ‘*T’}l see you through, if we land in the lockup,’’ was his hearty exclamation, not unmixed with admiration for the other’s pluck, and with him he faced the crowd de- fiantly. ‘‘You served him right!’ However, there was no need for aid. whole tide of sentiment had turned. ‘‘We an’t goin’ ter lay in ag’in yer, young feller!’’ said the roughest and most vicious looking man in the whole party. ‘‘Yer can have it out wid him—we’ll see fair play !’? eo With. AL?) Came canaler, determinedly. The youth in the semi-naval clothes was regaining the pier. He was a sight! As he waded toward the group, his dark eyes flashing revengefully, he reached quickly into an inner pocket of his coat. To the tough who had been spokesman for the others, this motion was Significant. He started forward with the quickness of a cat, but the boy withdrew his hand, empty, with a low imprecation of disap- pointment. The lad whose blow had sent the other into the water, waited silently for him to make an attack, a look of cool resolution upon his strong, good-looking face. The attack did not follow. The dripping young gentleman glared malevolently at the stalwart stranger, who eyed him unflinchingly. “Tl not dirty my hands with you!’’ he hissed, which was a singularly inappropriate speech, considering the mud which coated his hands and clothing. With a poorly assumed attempt at dignity, he left the piev and moved off down the wharves, disappearing from the party and from us for the present, though this un- pleasant incident was destined to mark the first number of the strangest experiences which could well happen in the life of a young sailor. Yet, happen they have, in that of Jack Feidham, and are therefore here recounted. Well, we’ll—see,’’ the The from the young GooDp CHAPTER II. NELL RAYMOND. § Jack Ferdham drew down his leeves, covering two tanned and supple arms, shortly after the inci- + dent described in the previous chap- ter, a straight, fine-looking gentleman, with frosty gray hair, stepped into the little crowd. His glance, passing quickly to Jack, was | fixed upon him with an earnest, kindly ex- pression. ‘*Are you the young man who, I was just told, dressed off a young coward for tortur- ing a dumb brute here a moment ago?’’ he asked, interestedly. ‘*He’s the man,’’? spoke up the young canaler, the color coming to Jack’s face as he hesitated to answer the question. ‘““Ay, he’s the chap!’’ exclaimed one of the toughs, with an admiring nod and grin. ‘“*And you??? asked Mr. Stanhope, of the young canaler, noticing the stick in his hand, ‘“‘Oh, it was all over when I got here, sir,’’? said the boy, promptly, at which there was a general chuckle. Mr. Stanhope regarded Jack approvingly. ‘The man who told me why you were all gathered here in this suspiciously suggestive crowd said it was all over before he could get down out of the rigging he was tarring. Are you working hereabouts?’’ he asked. The gentleman wore a handsome dark-blue costume which the young sailor regarded with, unconcealed admiration, though he feared it might be the insignia of some of the higher officers of the law, as, indeed, did some of the assembled roughs, as was evi- dent from their suspicious sidelong glances and the slipping away of some of them to- ward possible avenues of escape. ‘I’ve just received my honorable dis- charge from the schooner Rosemarie, of Cleveland, Captain Green,’’ returned Jack. Mr. Stanhope was silent for a moment, during which he kept bis glance thoughtfully and searchingly upon the young fellow be- fore him. ‘“‘Tf you wish a position in which honest service will be rewarded with good pay and friendly interest, report on my yacht, the Arrow, before nine o’clock to-nigbt,’’ he said; and pointing toward Erie Slip, he added: ‘‘You’ll find her: down there, near that propeller.’’ A position on a yacht! The prospect sent Jack Ferdham’s spirits up to the top notch at a jump. Here was unforeseen good fortune. It took him very little time to accept the proffered berth. When Mr. Stanhope, who left the pi mediately, was a block distant, he hesitated, and was on the point of turning back. He had grown singularly thoughtful after leav- ing Jack and the little group on the pier end. ‘*T believe I could find work for both of those young fellows,’’? he mused, aloud. ‘*{——-? but he recalled the fact that there was /only one empty berth in the Arrow’s forecastle. He was too considerate of the his men to wish to crowd them. ‘*No, it had better be as it is,’? he added. He continued his walk, unmindful of the complimentary glances of which he was the recipient from the canalers’ wives and daughters, and the more envious frowns of the men. Meanwhile Jack Ferdham upon the pier and was walking toward the warehouses which border the wharves, in company with Park Owen, the young canaler. The little scene in which they had been brought together had made them feel as though they had known each other for months—as though they were old friends. ‘*Well, I’ve got to stop here; we’re going to pull out for Albany at noon,’’ exclaimed Park, his tone tempered with regret, as he paused at the first corner, ‘‘1’m sorry,’’ returned Jack, frankly. “You’ve got a fine new berth, with a man who seems to have the right stuff in sr im- comfort of had sprung him. He is a gentleman. Good luck to you, matey.’? The two boys’ hands met in a warm grasp. ‘*We won’t say good-by,’’ Park Owen con- tinued, with singular earnestness, ‘‘We’ll meet again, and perhaps be shipmates—I fell it. Take care of yourself !?’ ‘*The same to you!’’ and with sincere re- gret Jack gave a parting pressure to his new friend’s tanned hand. There was a boy after his own heart. As Jack hurried up the narrow, dirty side- walk, he wondered if the young canaler’s words would prov@ phrophetic and they two would meet again as shipmates? He hoped they would. Then he turned into a street bordering the Erie Canal—a street lined with ill-kept, dis- colored buildings, within and without whose doors were to be seen a class of men and women which, for utter depravity and viciousness, it is doubtful if Londdon’s famous —or rather infamous—Whitechapel could rival. Indeed, it is claimed by many that this street, which takes its name from the canal, is the worst street to be found in either this country or abroad, a rather sweeping tion, yet not greatly overdrawn. Pushing along for two blocks throug beer and, tobacco laden atmosphere, turned down one of the « rg and mounted two ricket a narrow hallway in was but dimly vis Stepping in, he ascended to the first, and then to the second floor, in reality the attic. Though the g was too dark to make anything di his way the Jack my streets case tinguishable, he quickly to a door upon which he knocked impatiently. “Who’s sharply. hao, 7? voice demanded, there?’’ a repulsive quite beautiful, stood in the in from a low window, into furnishings were pitifully meager. A bottle and a glass stood upon the rough pine table. All spoke too plainly of degradation; yet, there was no dweller in this wretched quarter who could accuse Mrs taymond, or ‘‘Nell,’? as she was familia known, of sinking lower than to the drink which was her curse. ‘‘Home again? I’m glad.’’ She gave Jack a. trembling embrace, which he returned. There were even tears of joy in the woman’s eyes. ‘Yes, home again—but I’m off once more, to-night,’’ Jack exclaimed, not without some little regret; for this broken-down woman was the best friend he had ever known. She gave a hopeless sigh. They seated themselves upon a_ low sea chest, she still retaining his hand. Then, in through the still open doorway hesi- tatingly crept—what? The thin, sorry dog which Jack had rescued down in the Erie Basin ! He had followed Jack there at a distance! | An encouraging/ call brought the Wamp little fellow to Jack’s feet, where he licked his preserver’s hand gratefully. “Is he your dog? You haven’t written about him, Jack,’’ said Nell, in a. tender tone. ‘No, I never saw him before to-day.’’ Jack explained the incident of the morn- ing, and how it had gained him his new} good fortune. He made light of the part hé had taken, | but Nell Raymond knew him well enough to have a pretty fair conception of it. She re- garded him proudly. ‘Oh, Jack, there is something [have de- cided to tell you,” she said, after they had eaten a plain, but substantial, dinner, the substance of which the boy had purchased at a near-by shop, not forgetting a bone for the new and faithful canine friend he had made. Nell stepped to the door, and, after glane- ing into the hallway, locked it carefully. Coming back, she seated herself on the rough bed near the wondering young sailor. | yu have | a youth | “*Jack,’’ was her first question, ‘* never in your shipping come across of about your own age who has a mark on his right shoulder similar to the one on yours, have you?—you haven’t told me of it, at least.’’ “lve never even thought much of the ‘¢mark,’’ Jack answered, frankly. He spoke the truth. This mark—or these marks, fo be more explicit—were of a blueish tinge, and could be easily imagined to resemble a crescent and star. As Jack remarked, he had never paid much heed to them. They had been upon his shoulder as long as he could remember. ““As I thought,’’ commented Nell, to her- self more than to Jack. ‘‘Well,’’ she began, quickly and earnestly, ‘*T don’t want you to think for a moment that the mark is one by which you shall be | identified as the long-lost heir to princely estates and family. No, Jack, my boy, your story is just as I have told it to you’’—this with a trace of sadness which was genuine. ‘‘But, ah, there is one young man bearing that same mark, who, if he still lives, has a story quite as strange as any that has ever been written,’’ Mrs. Raymond continued, dramatically. She had dropped into the tragic manner of the stage—her old profession. It was singularly effective. ‘‘Jack,’’? she continued, ‘‘you are a wan- derer. You must keep your eyes open for the young fellow bearing that mark! He is no doubt a wanderer, too. ‘‘When you do come across that youth—if fate so wills, you shall come to me. Then we shall have a duty to perform! Be sure to make no open inquiries—that might spoil all!’ Jack remained silent, waiting to hear more; but, evidently, Nell Raymond had finished. She appeared to fear being overheard, “Tl keep my eyes open,.’ said Jack. He then counted out a liberal share of his earnings and placed them in Nell’s lap. t*And now——’’ he began, ‘meaningly. A quick motion of her arm checked him. ‘There, there, Jack, don’t preach! I’m doing better now,’’ Nell Raymond ex- claimed, imploringly. ‘‘You can’t take the ( vhich led to the occupant’s | dog with you.* Leave him with me,’’ she added. ‘*Very well.’? Jack rose. He had a v small account at the National Bank—a vor, nall one, and he intended to jmake a deposit there before the bank closed. He wished Nell would let him deposit the money he gave her, but he felt it useless to argue with her. He would have liked to learn more about the other youth similarly marked to him- self; but as Nell did not appear to intend to tell more, he refrained from questioning her. This was the first time she had ever re- ferred to the odd marks upon his shoulder. This was the first time he had ever imagined there was a story connected with them. ‘*You must go???’ Nell asked, regretfully. He nodded, and they parted as they had welcomed each other, she clinging to his | Str ight, athletic form tremblingly. ‘Call the little dog to you,’’ Jack said at | the doorway, his own voice slightly husky. The vagabond dog seemed to understand | everything that was said. , He eyed Jack wistfully, but went to the | woman’s side—and this was the last time | | | Jack was destined to see either ef the two for months again. CHAPTER IIl. A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE. x yf » H, on time!’’ was Mr. Stanhope’s ~ hearty welcome, as Jack came down } . the comipanion-way of the Arrow ew early that evening. Jack, for his part, nearly neglected to an- | swer, he was so taken back with admiration | for the little vessel. The saloon in which he stood could hardly have been a more striking contrast to that | of the schooner Rosemarie than it was. | Here were carved and beautifully finished | beams, with mirrors, tapestries and rare | water-color paintings dn every side! And one could hardly dare say what not !¢ The young sailor felt that the day had in- deed been a lucky one for him, for a peep along a narrow passage-way showed a roomy and bright forecastle forward—as much different from that on the old Rosemarie as were the cabins. But it was evident that Jack was not to sleep forward after all. Mr. Stanhope nodded toward a state-room which the open door showed to be fitted up in accordance with the costly decorations of the main saloon. ““T’ve seen and had a chat with your old eaptain,’’ he said, with a smile. ‘That room will be yours. You will please retire and put on the uniform John has laid out for you, and then report to me.’’ ‘Well, this is rather more than I counted upon. I thought you only wished a hand be- fore the mast,’’ Jack managed to return. ‘*But you don’t mind if I advance you to the position of second mate—eh, Mr. Ferd- ham?”’ Mr. Stanhope could not repress a merry |chuckle at the very noticeable start Jack | gave. | ‘*There—step, in your state-room,’’ this most friendly of men urged the young sailor, as Jack was attempting to thank him. ‘‘Serve me faithfully—that’s all ask.’? He rose from the chair Jack had found | him occupying, and started toward the deck. | For a moment Jack Ferdham felt as though he were dreaming. The hurry and scurry, however, which soon began overhead brought hin °to his senses. It was evident that steam had been gotten up and only the fasts had to be cast off for the little steam yacht to leave the dock. Jack hurried into his own state-room, an soon had the lower part of his body i cased in a pair of trim, blue yachting trou- 3 which set off his straight, stalwart limbs to good advantage, and eaused him to giv® an expression of satisfaction as he surveyed them before the little mirror. : | A natty blue vest, coat and yachting c@P |lay on the bunk. Linen was also at hand. | *T sha’n’t know myself when I get togg® }out in all these things,’’? he said, to him self. i | The Arrow could be heard shortly movit® through the shipping. : \/ A glance out from the little port that gav° | light and ventilation to the cozy state-room |showed the yacht to be outside the iri | Basin. | Jack started hastily to complete his toilet |for, rough as was the old Rosemarie, wished to give her a parting look before she | would be lost to view in the tangle of | other craft as the Arrow left the port. 64 | There came the sound of a door on the One | site side of the saloon being thrown OP?) heey ; . peing | quickly followed by his own door belle |swung inward hurriedly. : ee ; ‘*Why—what the devil!’’ the intruder na gan, testily, staring blankly at the occ¥l |of the room and the scattered clothing. ken | For the moment Jack was as greatly oe | back himself, for, in the visitor he quic ‘identified the youth to whom he had fa as ithe ducking that very morning—0d J was the circumstance. sake ae: But by the time the recognition became mutual, Jack had regained his usual com- posure, and he was able to enjoy the other’s confusion. He proceeded coolly in his dressing. ‘How—came—you—here?’’ The youth scowled darkly as he made the inquiry. “1??? questioned Jack, deliberately. He selected a shirt, without paying especial heed to the other’s impatience. ‘¢Yes—on my father’s yacht?’’ Ob Ts" Here was an odd coincidence Jack had difficulty in concealing his sur- prise. - The amusing nature of. the affair, too, ap- pealed ,to him strongly—especially Dick Stanhope’s rather desperate attempt at di; nity; though it was a great shock to Jack to learn that this youth was the son of the owner of the Arrow. Meanwhile, Dick Stanhope’s fingers fairly itched to around the throat of the exasperatingly cool young man _ before him. He had hoped that it would be his fortune never again to meet the muscular Jack, who had worsted him so easily that day; or, if they should ever be thrown together, that he would , be in a-position to deal the young sailor a blow in the back. For Dick Stan- hope had a nasty, vindictive, even murder- ous disposition—which was,the secret of the grave, careworn look which people often any close noticed upon the face of the 6wner of the | Arrow, though Mr. Stanhope strove to con- | ceal his immediate vexations from the pub- | lic in the fullness of his goodness of heart. ‘‘T have been engaged by your father ¢ second mate,’’? Jack explained, coolly. ‘*Well, this is a complication!’’ Dick said, to himself. ‘ an’ lookin’ w sah; shall I bru nythin’, sah?’’ asked John, solicitious] g followed him to the doorway. No—hang,you! That is—no! es rolled in astonishme 1 toa hasty from the decidedly erratic you but Dic was more im, g more strangely that bh than at any time John could recall—in fact, exclamation was rather more forcible than the way it appears above. When John left him in silence, Dick. ag foot a John’s e} He \ and yachtsman ; an T] sustk his in of his bunk. This time, however, if was a liquor bottle which he took from one of the racks. Pouring a gl nearly full, he tossed contents off at a draught. As the fiery liquid mounted to his brain, a murderous gleam shone in his dark eyes. ‘*T can’t stand this thing any longer,’’ he muttered. ‘‘If I asked to have him dis- charged so soon, the old man would want to have me give a good reason—and I couldn’t its | do that! had—the—nerve!’’ he whis- rtain desperate thought en- If—I—only pered, as a < tered his reeling brain. For a moment he regarded the empty glass before him in indecision. Then he took down a slung-shot rising, k it tentatively against his hand with a i 1 of his lips. e cabin chimed eight bells was shortly followed by making’’ them on the *ht—and one of the little bell forward. Mr. Stanhope gz up the deck Salsbury and J Ferdham, and below, retired to his state-room. ‘*My. Ferdham, I’m goin’ to your hands,’’ Dick’s listening heard Mr. Salsbury say to Jack The little yacht was silent ag the low throbbing of her engines and the rush of the water alongside. sailors ‘* to Mr. coming her in soon put nk ear Fy Opening his state-room door without more | noise than was possible, Dick Stanhope stealthily moved up the companion-way, his | rubber-soled shoes making no sound. A hasty nce straight, erect figure by the rail near the flagstaff—Jack, looking off into the darkness which surrounded the little vessel. The young second mate was wrapped in silent thought. . To give Dick Stanhope due credit, let it! | be said here that he hesitated in his foul purpose as he stood in the shadow of the cabin. But then his face quickly became drawn and hard again. ! He stole up behind the silent figure and struck a= savage which he had kept concealed in his pocket. Jack had started to turn as the blow de- scended, but he sank against the rail, only uttering a low groan. It took but limp body over into the lake, where it sank, and was speedily left far astern! (TO BE CONTINUED.) DIFFERENT > +> CIRCUMSTANCES WERE ‘You are the plaintiff in this case, I be- lieve?’’ \ Ferry. ‘*T am.’’ ‘And you are suing Mr. Train for ten feet | d 5 | of ground more than your own.’’ ‘But Ido own it. That’s-why I’m suing for possession.’ ‘““You think your land extends ten feet east, on what Mr. Train claims as his?’’ p Yeg:?? ‘-How feet?’’ ‘‘Byver since I had it surveyed two years ago.’? “Why did sooner??? ‘‘T was trying to obtain it amicably, with- out going to law.’ ‘‘Mr. Ferry, so recently as last December you laid no claim dispute |”? ‘*What’s that?’’ long have you claimed this ten you not bring suit for it ‘‘Did you not one day last December tell | \Mr.“frain that your ground came only to the point which he claims. as his? Now, re- fresh your memory, and remember you are under oath. The occasion I refer to was on Tuesday afternoon, and Mr. Maddox was present.’’ \“W-e-1-I,’’ replied Ferry, after a thought- ful pause, ‘‘that was when we were shovel- ing the snow off our pavements,’’ + 0 Charley—‘‘ What are you thinking of?’’ Dolly ‘*Nothing.’’ Charley—*‘I was in hopes you were think- ing of me.’’ Dolly—‘‘So I was.’’ 1 except for | forward and aft showed:a | blow with the slung-shot | little effort for Dick to tip his | said the attorney for the defense, to_| ‘ to this ten feet now in| (This Story will not be Published in Book-Form.] ‘THE TOUR OF THE ZERO GLUB: | OR, | PERILS BY ICE AND SNOW, BY HARVEY HICKS, Merriman Abroad,” “Tom Trua- on’s Schooldays,” ete. Author of ** 3 commenced obtained of all a W 4 CHAPTER XXXVI. DEATH OF THE BEAR—CONCLUSION,. as quite likely that the big brown ar which had thrust itself among the members of the Zero Club so unceremo- , had had its winter habitation along the top of the cliff, and 10w, ice and landslide had brought see the cause of the disturbance. Evidently, it imagined that the boys had ‘ought’ about. the ruin, for it was thor- oughly ex ed, and, as soon as it landed, stood up on its hind legs to embrace Harry, who happened to, be a trifle closer than the others. Ha | that the it forth t T I yt t no time in leaping out of reach, and th 1e great bear turned upon Jack, |almost knocking him down with a savage | blow from one paw. | ‘Run! run!’? sereamed Andy. ‘Run, | Jack, or he will kil u!?? With an effort, Jack regained his balance, and then he took Andy’s advice, as did in- deed all of the others. They ran in every direction, and in less than half a minute the ad the field entirely to himself. | i ; bruin appeared on the point of following them into the woods, but he stopped short and sniffed the air. The smell | of the cooked meat in the cave reached him, and, turning, he disappeared inside of the » shelter. ‘He has gone into the cave!’’ exclaimed Boxy to Harry, breathlessly. ‘‘Good-by to all our meat!*’ | ‘If he only takes the meat and gets out 1 won’t care,’? put in Andy. ‘‘My, but he nearly scared me out of my: wits!’’ **T doe want nuffin’ to do wid’ dat chap,’’ ‘remarked Pickles; with a grave shake of. his woolly head. ‘‘He is wuss nor all de wolves an’ wild-cats put. togedder, *deed he ds ““Come on cave,’’ said Har other spot, where | them. | ‘*By the boots! but I had a narrow es- eape!’’ said Jack, with a-shiver. ‘‘That crack from the bear’s paw nearly knocked me silly !”? What shall we do?’’ questioned Boxy, a moment of silence. *d like to shoot him,’’ replied Harry. ‘‘What a prize he would make!”’ ‘‘Oh, my! I wouldn’t go near him for the | world!’ exclaimed Boxy. ‘‘Nor I!’ added Andy. ‘Don’t try\it, | Harry! It will cost you your life!’ | ‘*How are you going to kill him?’’ asked Jack. ‘‘Not a single one of us have a gun.’? “Didn’t you have your gun out?’’ asked Harry, turning to Boxy. a “Thad the rifle out, but I—I dropped it~ when the bear leaped down,’’ stammered. Boxy, in considerable confusion. ‘“Where did you drop it??? ‘* About three or four yards from the door- way to the cave.”’ ‘‘Humph! A fellow might crawl up and Tgrab it,’? mused Harr ‘‘No! no! doan’ yo’ go fo’ to do nuffin’ so foolish !’’ cried Pickles. ‘‘Dat b’ar will come. out an’ dat will be de end ob you!”’ ‘That’s so,’? said Andy. ‘‘Let the bear satisfy himself and go off when he pleases.’’ ‘‘Ah, 1 have it!’? cried Harry, an idea striking him. ‘‘Just stay where you are, fel- lows: I think I can do up his bearship in a way he won’t be looking for.” ‘‘What arg you going to do?’’ questioned. Boxy. : ‘¢Wait and see.”’ On the instant Harry was off. Instead of walking toward the cave, he made a detour, coming up atone end of the high cliff. He found a place where he could ascend the - icy slope without much -difficult¥, and this done, he crept along silently until he occu- pied a spot directly over the entrance to the shelter below. : He looked about him, and soon found what he wanted, a round stone, weighing all of | forty or fifty pounds. ° : He half rolled, half-carried the stone to — the very edge of the cliff, and here set it so that)a slight push would send it downward. Then he procured several more stones of smaller size. § This done, he took up a handful of pebbles _ and rolled them over the cliff, at the same — time shouting out loudly. The echo had hardly died away when the | bear made its appearance at the mouth of the cave. He came oft almost all of the way , and looked around fiercely. ; | Clatter! crash! down came the big stone, pushed off at just the right moment. It took to where we can look into the , and they moved to an- Jack presently joined > the bear in the neck, ard caused him to fall down with a loud roar of pain. In great excitement, Harry caught up two of the smaller stones. The first, when hurled downward, missed its mark; but the second caught the be head, directly over his right eye, inflicting an ugly wound. ‘Hurrah! you have knocked him!’’ cried Jack, from the woods. ‘‘Give him another !”’ ‘*Get the rifle if you can!’’ sang out the boy on the cliff. ‘“*T will, if the bear will give me half a chance!’ returned Jack. The bear now understood whence came the attack, and staggering to his feet, he looked around to find some way up the cliff. Harry continued to pour down the rocks, and one particularly sharp-pointed one landed on bruin’s nose. Up went another roar of pain, and the bear danced around, shaking his head from side to side in rage. ‘‘That was a corker!’’ yelled Boxy, some- what recovering his courage. ‘‘Give him another, and—my gracious! He’s coming this way !’’ It was true. Thoeibear had turned swiftly, and was now making for the woods where Boxy, Andy and Pickles were standing. Jack in the meantime had crawled to one side, waiting for a chance to dash in and secure the rifle. The three boys scrambled to get out of the way, and a second later Jack managed | to gain possession of the much-coveted fire- arm. The bear went a dozen paces or more and then stopped and turned to the boy with the rifle. He rushed up and stood on his hind legs and at that moment Jack pulled the trigger. The bullet passed through bruin’s shoul- der, inflicting a dangerous but not fatal wound. The beast was now all but beaten, and yet there was lots of fight in him. Could he have reached one of the boys he would have killed him on the spot. Seeing the bear so far away from the cliff, Harry slid down to the bottom, and as Jack ran off with bruin at his heels, he slipped into the cave, and brought out all of the shot-guns, each of which was luckily loaded with coarse buckshot. As Jack ran in one direction, Harry took another, and soon joined Andy, Boxy and Pickles. ‘“Come with me,’’ he said, as he dealt out the guns. ‘‘We can get the best of that bear now even if we only half try. He’s limping dreadfully.’’ Off be dashed, and the others at his heels. They caught up to. the bear at the instant that Jack yelled to them to come to his assistance. Bang! bang! went the shot-guns in rapid succession. Thé four doses were too much for bruin. He uttered one growl, sharp and shrill, and then tumbled over—dead. At first the boys could not realize that their dreadful enemy was dead. They ran back to the cave to reload the rifle and the guns. But it was not needed, and after a wait of fully five minutes, they went back to inspect their great prize. “Talk about wolves and wild-cats and deer!’ cried Harry, not without pardonable pride. ‘‘This caps the climax. Boys, I am done hunting now.’’ ‘And so am I,’’ returned Jack. ‘‘No more of life in the woods for this season.’’ ‘‘Yes, I jess as lief pull up an’ go back to Rudskill to-morrow,’’ broke in Pickles. “‘T couldn’t sleep out heah no moah if you paid me ten dollars an hour.’’ ‘“‘We must have that bear stuffed,’’ said Jack. ‘‘And when we get a regular club- room we’ll have him stand on one end of the platform as a memento of this glorious outing.’’ There was no. sleep for any of the boys that night, and early in the morning they set to work to skin the bear as nicely as possible, so that it might be turned over to the taxidermist in Rudskill when they ar- rived home. Skinning the bear and getting ready to ‘pull up stakes’? took the whole of the day, and despite their fears of more ‘bears, they slept that night. By daybreak they were on their way across Rock Island Lake. Twenty-four hours later they reached Rudd’s Landing, where Barton Coils greeted them warmly. ‘The old man was astonished at their successes in the hunting line. A crowd of friends and curious strangers greeted them when the Icicle ran up to the town front of Rudskill and the boys left the ice-boat; the bear skin and head were much admired, as were also the other trophies. ‘*Had a good deal better luck than Sully and his crowd,’’ said one of the town boys, and the members of the Zero Club. and Pickles rather guessed that they had. The boys were received at their various homes with open arms. It was found that Minnie Woodruff had quite recovered from the effects of her involuntary bath in the river, from which Harry had so bravely rescued her. The things the boys had brought back from the deserted cottage in the woods were sold before the winter was over. For his old coins Harry received nearly four hundred dollars, while his companions obtained for the other things from sidty to a hundrec dollars each, ast in the top of the| | This grand outing of the Zero Club took | inches wide. now a; | steady place in Mr. Woodruff’s employ, and | | place two winters ago. Pickles has | the four boys are now in high school and college, and there we will leave them, wish- ing them as muchsuccess as they had when braving perils by ice and snow. [THE END. | ——-_+--o-__—- ee. aR Lo ‘Bo EDITED BY DAVID PARKS. A HOME-MADE ELECTRICAL MACHINE. FVHE materials from which such a ma- Wy chine can be made are very simple, i :) and those which are not pretty certain * to be found in any ordinary house, can all be bought for about fifty cents. You the parts of an old packing-box will do very nicely. It should be well baked before being used, and if scorched a little will be none the worse. A large round bottle, and this must be thoroughly cleansed inside and out, and also well dried before the fire, until |there is no moisture in it. A cutting of | patent leather, about nine inches by six, will |be given you by a shoemaker, probably, or it can certainly be bought of him for a few cents. You will want about eight inches of iron rod, the thickness of a lead pencil, and |a small piece of glass rod, the length of which can be presently determined, and a box of what is called electric amalgam. The bottle is to be fitted with a wooden plug, into which has been driven tbe iron rod, bent twice to a right angle, so as_ to form a handle; and to the bottom of the bottle must be cemented a large spool, in such a position that the hole in the spool coincides with the center of the bottle. The handle may be fitted with a cover, made by sawing off part of a wooden pop-gun, or by turning a hole in a stick of wood, previously cut and sand-papered into the right shape; some such arrangement adds to the elegance of the affair, but it is not absolutely need- ful. To keep it in position, the end of the rod can be ‘‘burred’’ over by hammering it. The cementing of the spool to the glass bot- tom of the bottle is not difficult, if the right cement be used, as the glass is generally rough, or {if not) can be roughened by means of a bit of emery cloth held over a stick. The cement is made by melting some good sealing-wax in an iron ladle, and add- ing, while it is hot, either a little ordinary melted glue, or, what is better, some of the isinglass cement sold under the name of ‘fish Glue.’’? There should be about four parts of sealing-wax to one of cement or glue, well stirred together, and the mixture should be used rather liberally. It will also be useful in fixing the plug in the neck of the bottle. Thus we shall have made the cylinder, which, by being rubbed as it is turned, will furnish us with electricity. The next thing to be made is the stand to support it. Take two pieces of wood, an inch thick and about five inches wide. Cut a round piece about an inch and a half or two inches deep out of the top of each, carefully rounding and sand-papering off the curved part, and let the height be such as to allow the bottle, when resting on these uprights, to clear the base board, to which they are to be at- tached, by three or four inches, There can be holes pierced at the top to admit the stretching across of a stout wire. The base board need only be of such a length as_ to hold the uprights comfortably, at a suitable distance, so as to receive the neck of the bottle and the spool respectively, but it ,; should extend two or there inches beyond | the width of the bottle on each side. The uprights can be held in place by a couple of screws driven in from below the base board, and'‘sufficiently countersunk to. avoid irregu- larity. If the operator be a good carpenter, however, there can be a proper hole cut to | shape to receive the uprights as well, but this is not at all essential, and I do not want any one to refrain from making the machine for want of skill in carpentry, because there is really none required, it is so very simple a matter. After being shaped and fixed, the wood work will be none the worse for a further baking. The next thing to make is the rubber. Make a T piece of wood (which need not be specially baked) to fit into a square hole, cut for it with a chisel, in the middle of one side of the base. 1t is to be of such a height as to reach to within an inch or an inch and a half of the topside of the bottle as the latter rests in the uprights. When the bottle is placed in position the purpose of the wires in the uprights, already mentioned, will be perceived. They are to prevent its getting out of place while being turned. Over the cross-bar of the T make a hard cushion of rags or wool, covered with patent Jeather, which is secured in position by tin- tacks, driven into the upper and under sides of the wood. After this, tack a piece of silk ; any old piece will do—to the lower side of i the cross-piece. It should be as long as this cross-piece (about nine inches) and six Ca OOD IN eV will need a little wood about an inch thick; | | do so. | the bottle, and nearly reaching the con- | in the base board to receive it. Over this nail likewise a strip | of patent leather of the same length, and an | inch and a half or two inches wide, rough side outward. To this rough side must be | applied a coating of the ‘‘electrical amal- | gam’’ bought. It is generally lumpy, and must be grated and beaten smooth, and made to stick with a little lard. The thinner the coat of it applied, and the less lard used | the better. This constitutes the rubber, and when it is placed in position (it is to be left to come in and out—not fixed) the amalgamed_ surface of the leather will touch the bottle, while the silk will rest over the top of the same | from behind the amalgamed leather. } The next thing to make is the prime con- ductor. Get a round piece of wood nine | inches long (a waste piece of cornice pole is | an ideal fragment) and shape the ends to} rounded. points, like a German sausage. | Cover the whole with tin or lead foil, such | as some kinds of tobacco and other things are sold in, which will stick very well with good gum or with weakened fish glue. When quite dry, drive a dozen or so brass pins into it, and sharpen the outer end of each as you These are to face the bottle when the conductor is fixed. It is to be supported by the glass rod, and the height of the latter can now be determined. It must, of course, he bought of the right length, and a round hole made both in the conductor itself and The same! cement as you used for fixing the spool to the bottle will do to fasten the conductor in place, opposite the rubber, with the bottle between. The glass rod must be clean and dry, and so placed that the points along the side of the conductor are as near as may be to, the bottle without touching it. When the machine is finished, as you stand at the handle end of the cylinder, the con- ductor should be on your right, with its points toward the bottle, and the rubber on the left, the silk flap resting over the top of ductor-points. It is a good plan to fasten the base board to the table with a ‘‘cramp’’, or else to put something heavy upon it to keep | it steady while being used. Before attempting to work the machine always take down the rubber, and put the whole affair near a fire, so as to thoroughly warm the bottle all over, and also the glass rod that supports the prime conductor. When this has been done, stand at the end of the machine by the handle, and turn the latter from left to right with the right hand, meanwhile pressing the rubber tightly against the bottle with the left hand. Ina dark room the points on the prime conductor will each be a point of beautiful blue light; | and in any room a knuckle presented to the | conductor will draw a bright spark an inch | or two in length. A piece of paper laid on the conductor will be instantly driven away by the repelling force of the electricity , but a feather suspended near it by a piece of silk | will be alternately attracted and repelled. There is not space enough left, however, | to describe even a few of the interesting and | beautiful experiments that can be performed with this inexpensive machine. There are a great number of them, including the electric shock. Any one who cares at all for this kind of recreation will be amply rewarded by the countless pleasant hours which can be spent over such a machine as this, for the small cost and trouble of making it. Indeed, it is| almost as simple a thing to construct as one can imagine, calling for little or no mechan- ical skill; and the delight and pleasure which can be derived from it by oneself, and im- parted to others, are incalculable. ne SHE SCORED ONE. It has just come to light that the first an- nouncement of the Czar’s death which ap- peared in this country, and, indeed, in any of the capitals of Europe, was dispatched from Livadia by means of an ingenious trick. Immediately the emperor expired orders were issued that no news telegrams should be sent away from any of the offices for a couple of hours. By this means all the correspondents at Livadia were apparently reduced to the same level of inert helplessness. However, a woman journalist telegraphed to Berlin for more money. There seemed to be nothing suspicious in a message like that. It happened, however, to be an arranged- for signal. The closing of the ‘telegraph offices to the press had been anticipated, and the message asking for more money was in fact an announcement of the Czar’s death, and the hour at which it had taken place. ne ee ie ol A CAGED BIRD. Johnston was one day passing’ down the street when he took a book from off one of the many stalls. The owner promptly gave him into custody. Next morning he duly appeared at the police court, when the fol- lowing conversation ensued : Justice—‘‘What have you to say for your- self? Why did you take the book?”’ Johnston (joyously)—‘'For a lark.’? Justice—''Oh, well, I’ve got a cage for it. Seven days.’’ Poor Johnston’s countenance fell immedi- ately below zero. He never larked any more, {This Story wlil not be Published in Book-Form.] In the Days of the Gladiators; OR, THE TWIN PRINCES OF BRITAIN. BY ALFRED ARMITAGE, Author of “With Orusader and Saracen.” (“IN THE DAYS OF THE GLADIATORS” was com- menced in No.251. Back numbers can be obtained of all News Agents.} CHAPTER XIII. ON THE ALTAR OF BAAL. Cry AMO’S eyes and ears had not de- de] ceived him. The weird, shuddering Gd, death-chant could be heard ringing “> on the still morning air, and off where a path wound through the trees a lit- tle band of Britons could be seen advancing. No priests were with the party, but at their head was the hoary-locked old Dhuwal, and his face was as stern and pitiless as those of his companions. The trembling lads watched the dread pro- cession, and so spell-bound did the sight hold them that they failed to hear the door of the cage creak open. They started when the guards clapped them on the shoulders and roughly bade them come out. \ ‘*Be brave,’’? whispered Harl, ‘‘for the queen-mother’s sake.’’ Hamo nodded, for he was unable to speak ; but the admonition made his step firmer as he followed his brother from the cage. Out in the dewy fern and grass the grim procees- sion was waiting, and placing the prisoners in the midst of them, they began the solemn march to death. The doomed lads walked stoutly, and with a look of angry defiance in their eyes. Only the ashen pallor of their cheeks told with what horror and dread they anticipated their fate. Every tongue was silent now as the pro- cession passed by winding ways through the thickly timbered part of the grove. Presently it emerged upon a broad and open avenue, and as it turned straight up this the lads saw the whole dread scene before them. The sight was one common enough in Brit- ain in those days—a sight that outrivaled in horror and ghastliness any similar ceremony the world over. At the extremity of the avenue was a wide circle in the very heart of the oak grove. The grass was cropped short, and all around the edge was a ring of great stone columns, each crowned by a mighty slab laid flatwise. To-day their cold | grayness was partly concealed by the skins and robes and weapons of the assembled Britons, which made a bright picture as they hung swaying and rattling in’ the breeze. In the middle of the circle was an oblong rock eight feet long; it had a shallow gutter chiseled on its surface; and below one end a pit was dug in the earth. Squatting or standing by the stone columns was a circle of eager and merciless spectators, attired, as | though for a joyous occasion, in shaggy wolf and bear skins, and ornaments of brass and gold. Some showed designs in blue clay on their naked arms and shoulders, With slow and solemn tread the procession marched up the avenue and into the terrible amphitheater. Harl and Hamo stared bard at. the guttered stone. Well they knew iis meaning, and often had they seen it run crimson with blood. Their faces turned a shade paler, and they swayed slightly as they walked. Not a sound broke fiom the assembled people. Each was provided with a_ brass shield and a metal-tipped club, and they clutched these tightly as they watched every movement of the condemned lads. None showed a gleam of pity or compassion. Clearly all were so abjectly in the power of the fanatical Druids that they dared not re- member the brave and beloved King Ger- phar, whose blood flowed in the veins of these lads. Harl and Hamo were left standing by one side of the sacrificial stone, in company with a poor wretch who had been convicted of the crime of murder, and was to die at the same time. The knot of guards fell back @ little, and now a deep and unbroken silence settled on the whole assemblage. The lads knew what this torturing interval meant, and they longed for the end to come quickly. With expectant eyes they glanced down the avenue, which as yet was deserted. Then they looked about the:circle of hostile faces, and defiantly, encountered the trl umphant glances of Merewolf and the newly- crowned King Almeric. The latter was kin to them, but his face *was as cold and mere! less as the rest. Still the silence lasted, and the long stretch of the avenue remained empty. doomed -ones were strangely impresse' by the beauty of this morning which was to be their last on earth, and surely a fairer OP° had never dawned in early Britain. d The grove stood on high ground, aD through the open vistas of oak and hazel the mellow September mist lay in curling § ects. The golden rays of the sun sparkled on dewy, valleys and upland, and on a narrow strip © yy es, PX. Ce cai oie aed oe ee eee Rream—se eo near S2QOn Ks ~~ ta ot mn ——o ~ oe eg ee. n. | mn. ed 1d kK; as ut IS- rs in th th ir he ro 1b or ecON OW rae sea that was visible far off. As Harland | Hamo gazed at this entrancing scene they | longed for life with a bitter heartache, and | tears welled into their eyes. } Hark! a strange wailing sound swelled on the air. It grew nearer and louder, anda low, expectant murmur ran through the as- semblage. A moment more, and then the band of executioners suddenly appeared at the farther end of the avenue, and came chanting toward the amphitheater. | It was a thrilling sight to see these ten aged Druids advancing with measured tread over the grass. Their beards were as white as the snowy robes that flapped about their legs, and their hoary locks were crowned with fillets of oak leaves. As they chanted their weird song their deep-sunken eyes sparkled with blood-thirsty lust. On they came by twos, and in the front rank paced old Bludwin, the high priest, holding with both hands a great golden adze. They strode into the ring, and marched three times around the stone before they halted in a semi-circle, Here old Bludwin recited at length the crimes and punishment of the three doomed victims, and the moment he had finished all began loudly to chant one of their mystic songs. The poor wretch who was to die with the lads gave an unearthly scream. and fell upon his knees. The knot of guards behind now rushed forward and dragged him to his feet, and then quickly bound his wrists across his back, Harl and Hamo were shackled in the same manner, and a mist swam before their eyes as they realized that their last moment was at hand. While the chanting sound went on loudly | the guards stood close behind’ the prisoners, | waiting the well-known signal to perform their horrible duty. Old Dhuwal placed him- self at the backs of Harl and Hamo, and so near that he rubbed against them. He was of the same height, and when he leaned his head forward a little his mouth was but a few inches from the ear of either lad. ‘‘Hark! sons of Gerphar,’’ he said, with- out a movement of the lips, and yet loudly enough to be heard above the chanting of the Druids, ‘‘there is a plan by which ye may be saved. Listen well, and make no sign that ye hear me. The time is short.’’ Ah! what a\thrill leaped into the hearts of the lads at these words. They changed color, and it was by a great effort that they escaped showing their agitation. Luckily their. faces Were taward ths Druthte, wat these wild singers were looking up to the sky. “Your bonds are weak,’’ old Dhuwal went on, ‘‘and by a strong jerk ye may free your arms. Choose a favorable moment, and then speed into the thick part of the wood that lies beyond those two largest columns. There your friends have gathered themselves together, and they will make a feint of stop- ping you, but no more than that. Ye will easily slip through their hands.’’ He paused as the chanting sank to a low key. Then, as the voices rose high again, he resumed : ‘Bee to the southward, and if ye can but reach the dead yew tree that stands shortly beyond the grove there ye will find two horses, with food and weapons upon their backs. Ride day and night till ye come to the camp of Boadicea, and claim her protec- tion, since she is of remote kinship to your | dead father. There the queen-mother will join you as soon as she can slip safely away. | “Thus all possible hath been done,’? old Whuwal added, after a brief pause. ‘‘It isa slim chance, and mayhap ye do not death after all; but see that ye try it by all your strength and craft.” _ “But what will be your fate?’’ said Harl, in a low tone. ‘‘This thing will be discov- eted, and since you have always been true to us you will first be accused.’” “Tam ripe and weary with years,’’ the faithful old man answered, evasively. “Death must come soon, and it matters not how. I wish not to live under the rule of the evil Almeric.’’ Just then the chant enddd, and with but a brief pause for breath the Druids began a Wild and melancholy hymn to Baal. This Was the signal, and instantly old Dhuwal and the other guards seized the poor wretch Who was with the lads, and pitched him upon the stone altar. At the same moment Bludwin strode quickly to the spot, golden adze in hand. In the horror of the awful scene mind, and neglected the most favorable op portunity of following old Dhuwal’s instruc- tions. They stood in a stupor, a _ to the villainous high priest that his back rushed against them. They heard one piercing cry from the vic- im, and then the two shrieks that followed Were drowned by the hoarse chanting of the | ruids, and by a furious clatter as all the | circle of Britons beat their clubs and brazen | per Shields together. Bludwin let the golden | foes. 4dze fall with a sickening crash, and first a Nead and then a body rolled into the pit at be foot of the altar, which now was drip- | gave him Ping with blood. A penetrating glance from old ate. Before either could turn, or strain his fetters, Hamo was seized by the guards | Ff 8 The dently replied, ‘‘for\here is t ‘nd flung face up across the altar. | down by blows, and thus they served to trip | shot a quick glance back they discoverd escape | Merewolf within a dozen feet. He was aswift charting and the beating of the shields | broke out afresh. Bludwin leaned forward and lifted the adze. It was already quivering on high for the fall when Hamo ripped his arms loose, and gave a convulsive spring that carried him to the farther edge of the stone. The keen-edged adze barely missed him, and struck the hard altar with such force that old Bludwin yelled with pain, and let the weapon fall from his half-paralyzed arms. But even before this Harl had wrenched his arms free—an act that none around him observed, so intent were they on the sacri- fice of the victim. Now he gave, Bludwin a tremendous push that toppled him off his feet and sent him head-foremost into the blood-soaked pit, and by a spring that saved him from the outstretched arms of the guards he gained the top of the altar. By this time Hamo was straight on _ his feet, and without a second’s delay both lads sprang off the end of the stone that was farthest from the band of Druids, and sped swiftly over the short grass toward the two | columns that old Dhuwal had indicated. | Though the daring assault and escape had taken place in much less time than it takes to tell, the whole circle of Britons were already on their feet, and spectators, guards, and priests dashed in pursuit. The hollow amphitheater echoed to the burst of yelling and shouting. But for the assembling together of the lit- tle group of friends the fugitives must surely have been lost. These faithful ones, how- ever, closed around the lads as they darted between the two stone columns, and while they appeared to be trying to hold them they were in reality pushing them on. Some rolled upon the ground, as though struck those who came behind. . This admirably feigned struggle was of brief duration, Harland Hamo broke from the little knot, darted between the columns, and sped into the friendly shelter of the dense oak wood that lay beyond. CHAPTER XIV. A THRILLING CHASE. A™ O far all had gone well, but there was | much to be done before the lads could | feel assured of safety. The ringing ta outcry behind told them the chase pretty nearly" rd one. Moreover, they were ferings and hardships, while tBecsnt, .sufs had the advantage of being fresh. But they did not despair, now that they were actually at liberty, and out of the clutches of Bludwin and his fellow Druids. Excitement lent them strength and endur- ance, and they sped straight forward be- tween the massive trees. Tf it came to the worst they were resolved not to be taken alive. It was far better to die fighting than to perish on the horrible altar. Faster and faster they ran, and as often as they glanced over their shoulders they saw a number of their savage foes coming swiftly on. The shouting indicated that many of the pursuers had scattered right and left, hoping thus to intercept the fugi- tives if they turned in either of those direc- tions. Just as a glimmer of light ahead told that the edge of the grove was near the lads heard a soft patter behind them, and as they runner, and in this instance he had proved his powers to their utmost. He was armed only with the brazen shield and metal- tipped club. / “Run on,’? Harl whispered to his brother, ‘‘and keep a little ahead of me. I have a plan to fix this fellow." Hamo obeyed instructions, and Harl pur- | posely slackened speed a little, at the same time keeping his head turned enough to watch his approaching foe. Closer and ¢loser came Merewolf, shouting with triumph, and just as he was lifting his club to strike, Harl dropped on all fours across the path. Merewolf had no time to check himself or to leap to one side, and down he went with a crash and a-yell. | Harl sprang instantly to his feet. He tore \the shield from Merewolf, who had just struggled to his knees, and struck him a before | terrific blow on the forehead that dashed them the lads partly lost their presence of |him to the ground. He lay there bleeding |} and senseless. | | tance behind. So he flung away the useless shield, and caught up with Hamo by a couple of strides. Then they dashed on again, spurred to des- ate efforts by the wild yelling of their In his hot passion Harl would have struck nd so close|his enemy a second blow, but he was | checked by a glimpse of the main body of | of the fugitives. They were | the pursuers, who were only a short dis- “They have stopped to see if Merewolf is| bending low to avoid the limbs overhead. GooD NEWS. 40S9 grove, and beyond that we have not far to go. aS A moment later the lads were out upon a | grassy down that sloped southward for half | a mile to the borders of the forest. They could see, a short distance within the timber the dead and whitened yew tree towering above the surrounding foliage. zs The sight cheered them, and half their they were half-way to the forest did they look back. Then they realized that they were still in sore peril, for only thirty yards behind were the eager pursuers. ¢ The party numbered full five score, and |< with few exceptions, they were strong and fleet runners. They were coming on silently, | and the gleam of ‘sunlight on metal showed | f that they had torn their weapons down from the stone columns. é Almeric himself was in the lead, waving | | his followers on with a long spear. There | < were no Druids among them, for the aged | ¢ priests were too heavy on their feet, as well | as too dignified, to accompany their people. _ The chase that followed was full of thrill- | t ing excitement, nor was it easy to foretell what the end would be. tives lost ground, and the blood-thirsty horde | came so near that they let fly a scattering shower of spears. These, luckily, fell either short or ovey | © head, but they scared the lads so badly that they made a desperate spurt. The edge of| the timber was now about three hundred feet distant, and their rapid strides carrie’ them toward it at aspeed which Alw’ and his followers vainly tried to surpatives £ it i plunged into the thick trees and bjeir foes. for a time they were hidden froy; sunning | tl on for twenty yards they r yew tree. : ee Close by the horses wi ee Pe ling Sec stiagny vel ? Fe stened to the strength and endur*@® 7° eee ee i bag of provisions, a | n back of each was-* dagger ¢ wor ' agger anda shor few seconds to loosen the Saminot conde oe old Dhuwal’s fingers a : secured, yet: that brief delay very nearly proved feal to the lads. 4 mounted the horses, Almeric and dozen of his followers broke from a copse ; twenty feet away. ie steeds area and plunged forward. There was a wild shout, the whistle of fly- ing weapons through leaves, and down went its flank. “Te : of fern, from which he rose unhurt, bue face to face with his cruel foes. Harl was by this time.a few yards ahead. He partly checked his horse, and called loudly and eagerly to his brother. Hamo dodged behind a tree to escape a shower of spears, and then made a bold run for it. He reached the horse, and sprang nimbly up behind Harl. The sagacious ani- mal, as though understanding the peril, gal- loped swiftly into the thick of the wood, and the angry cries of Almeric and his band faded in the distance. But the loss of the one horse had put the lads at a great disadvantage, and they were still in danger. When they had gone several miles their steed began to show signs of breaking down under its double burden, while to make matters worse, the pursuing Britons could be heard shouting to one an- other in the rear. ‘What shall we do?’? exclaimed Harl., ‘‘Instead of giving up the chase, they have been coming after us all this time. They are good runners, and will pursue us until night- fall.”’ “Unless they overtake us before then,”’ replied Hamo. ‘‘They know that we cannot keep ahead of them long on this one little horse. If the other had not been killed we could defy them.’’ ‘‘The horse need not carry_two,’’ said Harl. ‘‘It is best to separate. You ride on, brother, and I will seek a hiding-place in the forest. If the gods are merciful we will meet at the camp of Boadicea.’’ “No; you take the horse,’’ protested Hamo. “Mine was killed, and I will not rob you of yours.’’ Both were obstinate, and before either could yield, something happened that ban- ished all hope of finding a safe hiding-place in the forest. With the distant shouting and calling of the pursuers there was suddenly mingled a shrill, angry baying. ; The lads knew only too well what this meant. The Druids had loosed their pack of fierce hounds, and started them on the trail trained and kept especially to hunt down human beings. ‘ “Hold tight,’’ cried Harl, as he dug his heels into the horse’s flanks; ‘‘we must ride for life.’’ “But the horse will break down,”’ said Hamo. “ r cr rheevoN ;no more than the British at home,’’ spoke up deck with the s later C ptain with the cu q fleet-footed Bri | mT ti murmured the commander, dered the put about, : ne ear ars , i ves, 4 - } +P £1 ay » added aside to D escope, Master’s Mate to keep parallel , - Rs! Ka.¢ thoughtful then he added, a ) I “hanidea pe! ; : i : , ha F a Ul > ; | ii fore-rigs After evidently hopin ally | The Birth of the Stubbs and Paul: | ai pant ene float within reach. ead, | ‘The me sense. 5 ny, he sai efully boat, lad. Hurrah! hings of fun before you are istain oring there’ll be his follo ’ th shouting hoarsely to memo hounds bounded alon i vill carry out le, baying savagely. Luthor of m. * ter. and were in ; 7 : vs Saag “a | threa 7 Ider f here an’ sriti Two ventured into ph tegh ec Upaosh 3 if aE the plate to Lord Selk some future | three ee ret : there an’t British i 3 One of » Britons | wes Cot ’ : Raid are che Oh | eruiser ‘ha m a nigger. stantly swept to death. VO sa ‘ie He beck ar War cairbatiee 1 | time. It is but j Pee ‘it ie aes ita ‘ evcmt iors “than one,’’ re et a like fate by slipping from a rock. 16 | NO. 1 DE “OVTAIDEC T i el, the gallant , officer Perhaps there aré mor¢ 1an One,” 1 Lurning on 2 rgled with thee mnt for a moment, | New . quickly wended s way to the beach, | plied Paul. eee: we = iy this suergu sank forever. — Dae ae | CHAPTER XIX. | followed by the sailors. Dick Has leered | w ind if a fleet should snl out In chase of us? finally ars fell Ss tl Syren eee P| i ‘ Paul in a triumphant manner as he | Fight em, of course. 6 tance ae ra the streanf mor and more behind, on PAUL SURPRISES DICK HASLETT, entered the boat, but our hero paid no ‘‘Humph! that ae e es = ol ue NG Now came Que was idden by a bend of | - 4 : attention to the implied sneer. [mm iately doubt you would like to. tac Pe ee soe of the river, a, f lent stretcl CA T sight of Haslett eS 7 id ea after the party -had rege ined the frigate, the | seventy tours, you, Hire ' he i, Ce ae aa Hamo could do tocol? BUF DIeHy, sureuey | Paul halted. Then, with the quick anchor was ighed, the sails spread, and a | man knows too much for that. ow did he learn that a war-ship was in Carrickfergus ‘vas all that Harl and | : ness of a fla drew his own mane as CY Wrra 5 Pie one | : Ss é i ro ks Shot 2 5.2, shold of the horse’s | AQyy . ord. For a brief moment the lads CKS € 7aves. > ; sronoch ; r 49 : io about to let « But ~~ along through confronted each other without a word. ab PO fro 4h eat coeret Ge 98 Oba Ne seas Someta i , He AS: CHOY -W ally +k sloy advanced, saying, | and violence of the f.°*" feat they area Finally, Dick slowly adva ; Q ; jon, the ros ba | course shaped for the coast of Ireland. us The packages of valuable plate were Bay? are Bs ba y cheers by the crew, and ‘*T’m blamed if I know, Paul. He has ected by all hands, | some queer means of gaining information. | reeted with h ter they had | xn ins drifted into a lake-lig@ @b br the articles were stored aft for safe keeping. | guess he must have heard this while we were river whore tl ees + OXpansi 2nd the : l me, you nameless | qi, closed the incident for the time being, | ashore on St. Mary sIsland. The first luff re the current t the A aie easy |e ets ; os . The aa : ‘dke.wrhtioh sha rrdas kz smooth $ compare’, the dog your game. you are 100KiN8 | as Captain Jones refrained from giving the|says it is the Drake, which carries about ‘ F i“ Littl hile ¢] . VOM Foi ( ‘aptain Jones, to notify him of our a o ; furtl notice 5 |twenty guns, if I am not mistaken. Ah! Yor a > Ww 6 they floati jt OF » Re oe 7 m1 on i ri | Pett 1 fr, the deck.?? c z ; ae Teen on, vai { tions.’’ was not as strict in the early | they are hail us from the deck. breath and strength. Then tis gaininy| tions.” ; hens 6 Lin athe SHIGA TCE Aa bes canie from att bidding ahead, a tossing line of white %,8aw, fe rhe epithet fell upon our hero’s days of our navy as it is at this period. The A hos i n at g ; | i f sce in ing-the erties deck val forces at that time were made up of | them descend. On ling the quarter-deck inst the |& blow. Wild with rage, he darted forward . er-deck ‘esh from the merchant marine who | they found t preparations were under way n ‘ ‘£. met hi | Wth his sword uplifted. Haslett met him yellow flood. “wy yr ree an cs eyn rat 1en ‘ Vonder the river narrows ae alf-way, ¢ in much le tl than 10} gop an independence of their own. and! to disguise » appearance of the Ranger. Harl. ‘“ a laif-way, and in irried an independence of their ly § ] tari, ‘‘and unless we reach the s ore sp r ; . : e : > thrust See ree oe ft ne , |The stern of the fr ) s kept toward the ily, we are lost. ‘Do vou f! bl rs, | takes to describe it, the boys w thrust who were far less under control than the! The stern of the f1 te was kep we , ay “m Rilti te Meer ton ee ing and parrying with all their skill. machine-like seaman ‘of to-day Knowing | boat so that those in her could not distin “the distar Stock 4 ee rep ed Hamo; | Paul said not a word, but devoted all his this full well, the astute commander of the} guish the double row of gun¢ports. 2 stance looks fc » shor ; » . nv | . eat . 7 . aa 1 R wae ar f ¢ iy 18 There a ai ee \ | intg to defeat his antagonist. The clash r discreetly forgot the | incipient [he ruse proved successful, and in th aie ‘i as oe ae 2 lose, and the lads at aes ‘ l mingling with Dick’s wrathful hae |course of an hour the man-o’-war cutter Ce tet go of the horse, who was plainly | CVS; 7 Rane ‘ | + | i a8 : . loin] i Ay fficer clad in the § Se, W as plain roditant H f ymonium that must D Panl-ar s ’ anion, | pulled alongside. A young officer clad in th¢ too exhausted to be urged across the cur- | have ated a pandemonium t ; Not so Paul and his boon compani pul : Still nons. heard in the nearby mansion, Mnglish navy stood Back ane to interfere. beforth over the green sw thrusting and evad first one retreatin a‘slett’s face was a } ubat. It was evident | HOT Ail OGORSIO# ibbs. They were unsparing in their con- | undress uniform of the demnation of the robbery of the plate, and'up in the boat and calmly surveyed the the master’s mate made known his intention, frigate. s of punishing Dick Haslett. | ‘*Who are you?’’ he presently called out, The latter soon caught wind of his danger, | addressing Captain Jones, who had donned and he remained aft during: the day, relying | a suit of Neciempatig ce 3. Aone values oe, biscuit for his dinner. It} ‘‘The Hope, of Portsmouth,’’ coolly re- rent. Side by side they swam toward ( farther shore with as vigorous strokes as they were able to make. | , It was a long, hard race against death, | Went the fight®> but at last they swung into a quiet eddy not | then the other. far above the commencement of the lower | 2b this stage of th falls. They crawled weakly out on the grass. that oe Dae not expect df tbe skiliedsin- the tl | ed about the decks | plied the American commander. ‘‘Won’t ye and as , k m stres ‘ | use of the sm: sworr i 8 Sk “© presently became noised ab ta : ad : 797? ; a, hey Re a sree they were | seats small sword, ue he had erred as | that the frigate was bound in search of an| come aboard, young fellow? ved to see their faithfu 1orse vanish i se Pphicl 1iser. rer “i oe na oo eects rac. 1orse vanish 24 ‘Paul. had defendéd himseh, Z | English cruiser reported to be at anchor in | », thar 34° eye haven’t ume. : aon @ heart of es a] Be BAT ee ee sa a nseh.vith the great ‘Ks y of Carrickfergus, at the extreme} bave you seen anything of a strangs e i re now the young fugitives did not feel | &St ease, possibly to his ow. : —. Wat they were thoroughly safe, since it was ‘ ghly : , sin i wa + ° amazeme ey eR a ‘ishing t | standing she Channel? She is full-z Stil sa cna . caw +}, 2mazement. end of which lies the flourishing town of | standing up t 1 2 Se teen bimss lf, 1 Saw tha Dick was Belfast i and American built, and is supposed to be a ssible é their foes woul: Se . almost exh , lato ton bal 2 ‘ l 1 iis ce ee ee oo. | ot me Meee Ee Hiag his °p-| The news was received with great del ht ¥ ankee man-of-wa ee ; er other means of crossing tia a ollie ce ae twist, sending Haslett?s ft, fs my ing , sudden) by the crew. As yet, the Continental ship During this speech ( aptain /Jones yes Fortunately, Harl had rehary ad t] oe :, »| For a second. the vidhow Mis ba sround. ‘had not. met with a vessel worthy of her | stooped down and whispered a few. words ‘to ee : ' 18 bag ’ lous middy:hesi- | r for anithe first lieutenant. As the British offi ‘oy steel, and all on board were ¢ et t Ripert Snail how. thair.|.gonoludaod_onart was oe es y xy could _shaw Me f * engs yement i which they could \ the cutter, displaying tc fighting qualiti ; of food, and though the contents were soak- | ‘ted. He knew that by all rights of law he ing wet, the lads greedily ate ove y scrap | Should follow up his advantage, but the It was now mid day, and with the hope of thought of his errand cause in fhrow= cpon opposite ; : » his astonish nm nome without tackling | a group of sailors armed with pistols, to Pony * l . ar Gi 1 ‘ » | » ‘ * 7 29] : “ce : , ] covering many miles before sunset, they start’ in Set rch urh HOt refrain from call. | 2° 2% th her 3 they could well. call us | I asked you to step aboard a moment started off through the-foragt,—boo ding tua fev out tauntingly 3 | pirates, ’’ arked Stubbs | ago,’’ said Jones, with grim humor. ‘*Sup > 5 . Paul, who was turning a little hand grind- | pose you accept my kind invitation. It stone, at which his companion was sharpen- | won’t do you any good to fume and fret, ing a cutlass, chuckled to himself. my dear sir. You might‘as well know that ‘Hard nam hurt no one,’? he replied, you have found that strange sail, full rigged sagely. ‘‘You should have seen the old and American built, that you mentioned a man’s face when Lady Selkirk raked him, | while back. This is the Continental frigate though. It turned red and white and blue— | Ranger, and we are in séarch of a certain ‘*The next time you wish to fight a duel, |be sure of your antagonist. This shonld rther be- y 8 IT ol your ant zon at 1 iS snouid rey teach you a lesson, Dick lett. It With 14 8 4 1 : cy to call names without being them up.’ Dick sullenly picked up his sword and } south-easterly direction. | The warm sun quickly dried them, and as | they left the river farther a1 hind, their spirits and cour: the natural buoyancy of youth they felt that life still held much worth living for. Boadicea would protect them, and at her 1 f. » rose. able to x a Se as yaar of : the mandi: camp the queen-mother would join them, peek res : on ae a sa ‘his. ons .|our national colors, you know. We're cruiser called the Drake,’ and perhaps the trusty old Dhuwal, They ie ea Pen f range ‘ ree po * ar | pirates, eh? The English will think we are} ‘You will find her soon enough,’ gal- would help to drive back the Roman in| Aes é 18 pie tn OF 40 altercation in @ | ores than buccaneers before we are through | lantly replied the young officer, directing vaders, and some time in the future they | ‘ caw BS ne ie have fe f thapiatel she} with them.’’ | his crew to pull alongside the frigate. % would overthrow Almeric, and reign over tt ma tied . er it! wh SO as He] 44] say, Paul, did the skipper ask you] By tho commander’s directions, Paul met their own people. Tor bia} Ontound 16; where is Captain | about our trip ashore??? queried the master’s the Englishmen at the gangway. The lieu- These were bright dreams after the. black | ‘ D aH evap. the, stairs: thee “shoe ak es | mate, grinding away. | tenant—for such his rank proved to be—was horrors of the past, and they served con-|,.~°% oe: YP Me eae HLS "BU pS oa 2 [ told him the whole story, includ- | escorted aft, and the sailors turned over to stantly to’cheer the lads on their long and et re pee ee Ne ents him- | ing our meeting with that strangé sailor the safe keeping of the master’s mate. weary tramp. Their boyish faith was not to | Prat bY ae of i‘ | pal aa kaa: J | the one you wounded in the forest near the | And now a most singular thing happened. be shaken, and no shadow of their allotted | “Wh yaaa a nee er, saul” asked Jones, | castle.’? | When the young officer gained the Ranger’s destiny disturbed them. ‘The g ase under Lieutenant Marvel Stubbs ceased work and glanced thought-| deck he did not even vouchsafe Paul va That first night they slept on a_ bed of | they are taking the. plate!” leaves in a rock cranny, and from early } ot i iM Stith ea is dawn of the next day they traveled swiftly | es Jy: ace bs tried to stop them, but on their way, guided by the course of the sun. | ae foe y ‘ ‘ fe They did not suffer for want of food. A door close at hand suddenly opened, and | " ilken ae | | fully at the middy, His lank face length- | glance, but stalked toward the quarter-deck ened, and he heaved a deep sigh. with great dignity. On reaching that part | ‘‘What a blooming shame that happened, | of the ship, he turned to look at his escort lad,’’ he remarked. ‘‘It was just my blamed | for the first time. luck to step between you and. the probable An expression of the most profound amaze- olution of the mystery of your birth. “That | ment flashed into. his face, and he staggered nariner knew you beyond a doubt. He must | back as if struck a violent blow. Dropping have been a member of the crew of your | his sword, which he had been carrying in bis ship, Well, what’s done can’t be helped. | right hand, he grasped Paul by the shoulder 3ut if you ever clap your peepers on that! and gasped, in a choked voice: sailor again, don’t let him set away before | ‘*You here? Heavens and earth! am I he answers some questions.’ | dreaming? ‘Do you think he was fatally wounded?’? | the Cal ry; asked Paul, wistfully. i ; | ‘The middy stared at the young officer as ‘No, I don’t, la . a pinked him in the | if dumfounded. Where they had halted | Shoulder, and the Injury was sufficient to gasped the . 1 } an elderly lady els in a rie since nutS and edible roots were plenty. ie : ay as “7 ety + , . 2 \é are or cc vehance wore &€ xX pres They shunned every semblance of a path, | 2 Ee ae ‘td feed ai vor ds ' VON’ a One, f nt ; ; | sion of c contempt, ¢ she swept towar« and kept so closely to the dense part of the | thes : Sth iet ies it Pee eae : : : ep | 2m wit xt dignit forest that they saw no sign of human life | eM with quic ae i We tabitation. [ judged you rightly, sir, when T termed 3. "1.4 ¢ sae you pirates,’’ she said, with cutting sar The day ended in clouds and a drizzling | < : “ae < 8 ; Weir Tie att of eae | casm. You steal my plate with no better rain, and while yet @ misty glimmer of light peragene Apa tan atsatts aah AT Sei! : here a great | race than the h 4ymen infesting our remained the lads came to where a grea country roads. If were a man. you would pine tree had fallen across a little gully | Agana 8 ta eae 7 5 : : z ; do so only over my dead body. Go, cowards! thick with fern. Under, the trunk and| re ax gf Ate ae eS ; : ; rid my house of your presene spreading branches they found a _ partial 2 : shelter, yet one that was chilly and damp. | So they ventured to make a fire, and after | nearly an hour’s hard labor they succeeded | Speak, lad; how did you leave was near the mainmast, and within a few “My lady ‘orget yourself.’? replicd | My lady, you forget yourself, replies make him swoon, but he must have recov red | | feet of a group of the Ranger’s officers. ght enougl ; | Standing near by, and awaiting the English u's pay that he is hobbling about now.’? | lieutenant’s approach, was the gallant com- in starting one. They fed it high with wood, Ses ager ‘ ap ‘‘If I ever get & chance to run ashore in | mander of the frigate ; ae iy ‘yo | uame. If my men'should burn this house | aed Cs eT alia : nt : Lehn f i and soon fell asleep beside the dancing | eailh AHA Latte. hae WAGAy ASK ia disguise, I?ll return to that town and try to Che peculiar words uttered by the prisoner! flames. lonertaletne dusaane ane ei Ape roue aot ‘| trace him. - It'll be worth the risk, Stubbs, | caused ( aptain Jones to step forward at ‘ : one he > damage create ) " coun- | : 7 ; Several hours later their dreams were | 5 Jo ull! as I would like to learn something of my once. He was followed by all on the quarter- 4, ; |} trymen in America. I will do what T can to if 1 : ; rudely disturbed by a great noise, and as} " ie z yi ast life. Fancy it: I am_ totally re sch ¢ snace of: 5 , raul y a 6 a8 | cave your plate, but if the crew insists, as | : : otally norant | deck, and ,in the space of a moment Pat Captain Jones, but with the utmost courtesy. ‘Tf you understood matters better you would n call us by such an undeserving I would wager a! they sat up and looked about with drowsy | they have some moral right to do. Iwan | ©! my own name. TI probably have a dear | and his companion were surrounded by 4’ eyes, they beheld a sight that made them Han idahoad Ch ete nn, Se | mother and father somewhere, who think | wondering crowd. cling to each other in trembling fear and | 3 ‘ aero grt ferte Fre mart ths that lam dead. Why can’t I remember? | By that time our hero had recovered suffi- horror. aaaras k eae + reply 40 us BenGs: | Merciful heavens! why can’t I recall some ciently. to grasp the real meaning of the (TO BE CONTINUED. ) | Followed He ‘Paul the a tains Gracia thing??? : | Englishman’s speech. He realized at once " aul, t t | Walking slowly to the rail, Paul leaned his | that he had as i i ivi ain § ble » having —_—_--e-» a to the rear of: the mansion, arriving there tin stumbled upon one having the room with an air of, one ‘¢ ; . g : ‘ ¢ F } arms upon it and gazed seaward with tear- knowledge of his past history It was : Se us 68 “hie cuardidavinuehe (oo id gazed ar- | k ge of his past history. A QUICK RETURN. Just in time to see the guard leaving th | immed eyes. Stubbs silently watched him | enough. ehnsitapad |, pantry with several bulky packages. ! ton hile sad vias P ee si 1 ” ‘ i 4 | At sight of tha ‘captain they halt dic | for a while, then he crossed over and threw ‘‘Oh, sir, do you know me?’’ he asked, ‘Mamma !?? said a little boy, rushing into| , At sight of the captain ney ated. Con- | one stalwart arm around the lad’s shoulder. | brokenly. ‘‘What is my name? Who am I?” } ; : | reitaliel se | fusedly. Lieutens larvel ¢ fidshipman | > ; ry ; | ; rrying valu sedly. Lieutenant Marvel and Midshipman Nothing was said, but the action proved to} It was the lieutenant’s turn to stare i2 Ni Fanti att Haslett exchanged guilty glances, but the for- | + ‘ ‘ ; Pe ct ee 33 mer seemed dé ‘Brit se A oranee at ae a Paul that he was not alone in the world surprise. He glanced from one to another of ‘‘What is it, dear? : : aE : te eee Batter. all the Americe ficers, ¢ is eyes Nd : : OWhat 5 Ay es eid) Aaa } . ice iiee 1 merican officers, and then his ey *‘Did you know that Mrs. Brown’s little What does this mean, si demanded ‘ PEER ty wandered back to Paul’s face baby was dead?” Jones, severely. CHAPTER XxX. aes s ory : 93) “ Yes, d ar, I heard of it A ‘‘We wished something for our pains, sir,’’ ‘What in the king’s name do you meané ‘“*Yes, dear, reard o fb. Are you ; . FOmMeUn Ir pains, sir, TTHR DISAPPOTN TENT he said, slowly. / ‘Are v ragy??? sorry go? ‘ che oe young ee ‘We heard that A BITTHR DISAPPOINTMENT. “ Bata at to Gee ae Aagoekd up Cap- 66 ag 3 wea Vern k ord Selkirk was absent, s » thought 5 ES ‘ she 5 in ret ie gern eee ae sa ex s—but, mamma, it was only three right ; of at if ion mr yt a ee he NONTRARY winds retarded the frig-|tain Jones. ‘7 he youth has a strange his ghts € d perm s to seize thes . ) : raced ; § day old. Hf 5 I ee A eee | y ate's progress to such an extent that | tory, sir. He was picked up at sea by us 4 ‘I know, lov ta k t] ‘ | *'This is historical.) Captain John Pan! Tones aia | ./ the Irish coast was not sighted until} short time ago; and owing to a shrewd cut Sut don t you think t . angels will be | restore the plate, purchasing it from the prize court ( the following morning, Shortly after |he had unfortunately received upon. the surprised to see it coming back so soon? with his own money. daybreak the middy on the lookout in the head, he was rendered unconscious of bis re yo mi co wi su er loft fro: Drs I; the yon ASse Wer p He refi and ‘his his T crui Pau reso v4 kno Am proy ‘ur the am « Men You, Pare that that of t) un ec ' This is Pan, Be moO ct ‘Cruiser had drawn the attention of all, and name or people. I adopted him, and he is now a midshipman aboard this vessel. If you know aught, sir, of his history, I pray you tell us, and thus relieve the lad of. much anxiety and discomfort.’’ While the commander was speakii had closely scanned the countenance of tbe British officer. What he saw there him to clutch the lieutenant’s han frenzy of eagerness. ‘¢You know me—you know me!’’ he claimed. ‘‘Will you tell me my name? you help me to solve this mystery? I will reward you, sir; 1’ll pay you every shilling that may be my portion 74 ‘* And you can have half of mine,’’ came from the group of officers in the high-pitched tones of Joyful Home Stubbs. ‘You say that you don’t know your own name?’’ queried the lieutenant. ‘‘No, sir,’’ sadly replied Paul. ‘You are now a Yankee midshipman?’’ was the next question. ‘*Yes, thanks to the kind heart of Cap tain Paul Jones.’’ ‘«Then you will never learn the truth from me, you young pirate,’’ sneered the British officer, turning on his heel. A chorus of angry cries came from the group of Americans, and more than one hastily advanced-with drawn sword. Before they could do more than threaten the daring lieutenant, the commander raised his hand and exclaimed in an authoritative tone: ‘*Back! What would you do, men? Re- member that he is a prisoner in our han and should be treated with the utmost courtesy.’ ‘“‘Yes; like his countrymen treat our peo replied the first lieutenant, with bitter sm. regarding the insinuation, Captain Jones abruptly demanded the Englishman’s sword, adding, contemptuously : ‘Of a truth, you deserve no mercy at our hands. You have it in your power to clear up the mystery of this youth’s life and to relieve him of many sorrowing hours; but you refuse, simply because he is a midship- } man in our service. So be it. Your own) conscience will repay you in time. Now 1| will ask you several questions on another subject. Do you belong to the British | cruiser Drake?’’ | ‘‘T do,’’? was the quick response. / ‘*Where is she?’’ Taking a few steps toward a near-by gun- | port, the lieutenant glanced toward the ad- jacent coast. Then wheeling rapidly, he exclaimed, proudly : ‘She is there, if you wish to know. to your safety now.’’ Look CHAPTER XXI. AND HIS GREAT PAUL TERED FRIENDS PERIL. WHEREIN EN- cou ) ITH a bound, Captain Jones gained the top of the lee rail. The frig- ate’s officers crowded the different oe) lofty, stanch-appearing man-of-war eme re g from behind the nearest cape. It was the rake. In. an instant all was confusidn on board | the Continental ship. Men ran hither and | yon to their various stations; then discipline | asserted its sway, and quick preparations Were made to meet the foe. Paul had not taken part. in the hubbub. He had listened to the British lieutenants’ refusal to enlighten him as if in a dream, and then, when the commander had uttered his rebuke, the lad awakened to a sense of his position. " f i The sudden appearance of the English | aul was left alone with the prisoner. He resolved to make one last plea. “Ts it possible you refuse to tell what you | know about me simply because I am an American midshipman??? he asked, rather | Proudly. “That is what I said, youngster,’? was the cool reply. ‘‘And I wish to add that 1 4m only too glad to be able to inflict punish- Ment upon an enemy of his majesty. I know You, boy. I know your name; I know your Parents, and the city whence you came, but that knowledge I will keep. I am only sorry | that T have unwittingly told you the name of the vessel from which you were lost."’ a Che Calypso?’’ p ‘Yes, the good ship Calypso. Ha! ha! Ris $ a splendid comedy, don’t you know. t is worthy of Drury Lane at its best. ancy my meeting you on this rebel ship. nd under what peculiar circumstances I “st saw you.?? sir You can spare yourself further words, fact said Paul, coldly. ‘‘I now see that the >" Of my being an officer on board the Siler jis not the only reason for your aoe. i There is something else behind it. I eer, s name of the ship, and much can be You ve from that; and, by the way, I think Ath be present when Captain Jones and m_tmence the search.’? Us significant reminder of his position Caus ; made” the lieutenant to flush hotly, and he a ; d Me © &*Menacing gesture with his hand. anes moment he smiled in a conciliatory mn » and leaning over, whispered: you acre changed my mind. I will give One coy information concerning yourself on idition,’? | came Jabez | slowly | who we are, ‘What ceYou is it???’ would Paul asked, suspiciously. like to know your. real name? boy es. wish to learn your nationality?’’ For Heaven’s sake, yes!”’ and father?’’ con- tinued t lieutenant, glancing from side to side ‘You would like to find them; to know that they are living and in sorrow at your supposed loss?’’ Paul nodded his head. The emotions called forth by the last sentence were too much for him. Clasping his hands, he awaited his companions’ next words. ‘Then I will tell you all upon one condi- tion,’’ added the officer, impressively. *‘The impending battle with the Drake may result in your favor. The ships are evenly matched. I am not minded to remain a prisoner in the hands of your commander. Promise to do your utmost yes, man. your ES motner He was interrupted by a sudden action on Paul’s part. Giving the speaker a look of scorn, the middy turned on his heel and walked forward without aword. It wasa case where actions speak louder than sonor- ous sentences. There were tears of disappointment in Paul’s eyes, but he repressed his emotion and quietly joined Stubbs upon the fore- castle. The lieutenant stared after the lad with a baffled expression for a moment, then he walked to a gun-port and turned his attention to the approaching cruiser. As he did so, he-muttered, beneath his breath: ‘*Wonders will never cease. John Broad- head, you have seen strange things and ‘met with many a surprises during your career in his majesty’s navy, but this caps the climax Fancy meeting his son here, of all others. | The lad inherits the father’s spirit, but I think I can bring him to terms. Once away from this rebel vessel, and many a golden coin can be justly earned through this dis- covery. What a queer case this loss of memory is. Humph! it is almost incredible. Ah! the gallant Drake is firing her chal- lenge.’ The sharp report of a heavy piece of ord- nance placed a period to his monologue, and he watched the succeeding events with ab- sorbing interest. During the conversation between the lieutenant and Paul, the Ranger had been cleared for action. The master’s mate and our stationed as usual upon the orecastle in charge of the forward guns, To assist them Preble, and the three friends eyed the oncoming foe with delightful anticipations. The wind was off shore, but it was light, and the Drake approached very hero were Captain Jones awaited her arrival, laying to with courses up and maintopsail to the mast. At length, the British cruiser having reached the mid-channel, came within hail- ing distance, and ran up the flag of Eng- land. At the same instant the Stars and Stripes were unfurled at the topmast of the ports, and justin time to see aj Ranger. Notwithstanding this, an officer called out from the quarter-deck of the Drake in sten- torian tones: | . ‘What ship is that?’’ ‘“‘No fooling now, Ill grimly remarked to his companions. ‘‘The old man will soon let the Britisher know Look! he is mounting the rail wager,’’ Stubbs now.’’ Aft on the quarter-deck, the American commander coolly surveyed the enemy through a glass, then folding his arms, he proudly replied: ‘*You wish to know the,name of this ship, eh? It is an unnecessary question, sir. The inhabitants of Whitehayen can tell you with but litlte effort. This is that despised Yankee | your ship. He tells me that you are search- ing, for the so-called pirate. We are here, id in readiness for the fight. It is time to begin, as the sun is hour from setting. What say you?’’ The answer was not long in coming. With incredible swiftness, the English cruiser was luffed, and part of the forward broadside was fired forthwith. At that moment the Drake‘ was astern of the Ranger} and the shots worked little damage to the latter craft. Before the thunderous roar had died away, Captain Jones gave a signal with his hand, and the frigate rounded to in obedience to a quick movement vf the rudder. With the port side presented to the enemy, the guns were discharged point blank into the thronged decks of the Drake. The iron storm crashed through timbers and bones and quivering nerves with terrible destruction, but the gunners stood at their posts with lighted torches, and the fire was instantly returned. This time the aim of the British was better, and a full score of the American crew were swept to their death. Forward, on the forecastle, Paul and his two friends, Stubbs and» Preble, were hard at work at the battery of eighteen-pounders. As it happened, the last broadside from the Drake had created greater havoc in that part of the frigate than in any other. This left the guns partly unmanned. During the thick of the combat the third piece was abandoned |’ by its crew, who were called away to .clear some wreckage from the bowspirt. Seeing this, Paul called to but little more than an | GOoonD NEWS. to enable me to escape, and; } the gun on the English cruiser. ‘‘That’s the idea, my boys!’’ suddenly shouted the master’s mate from the opposite side of the deck. ‘‘Wait a second and I'll give you a hand.”’ Running acr« he was just in the act of grasping the training tackle when a smoking shrapnel crashed through the frail wooden bulwarks and landed in the midst of the little group! (TO BE CONTINUED.) >» —-__ _ A BRAVE DEED. BY HENRY CLARKE. HE mining town of Capelton was alive with excitement. A long-looked for event was about to take place. Mr. Hilton, the owner of the mines, and more than half the village, was to give a ball in honor of his son’s twenty-first birth- day, and also to celebrate the return of his only daughter from the Parisian school to which she had been sent when but ten years old. oy 4071 Jabez, and the two lads endeavored to train where the two men were standing with the | now loaded car beside them. “Only cowards need boast of their bravery,’’ said Fred, sternly. ‘*T am going on a short distance to look at > the ore; you may wait for me at the foot of the shaft, and we will all be drawn up at once,’’ continued Carl. He stroll on, while Fred and his com- panion returned, as directed, to the en- trance. They had barely reached it when they heard a a loud report behind; a cry of fear mingled with the noise of falling rocks; | then all was still. With pallid faces the men looked at each | other, for each knew what had happened. The roof had fallen, and Carl Hilton was either crushed beneath the rocks, or impris- oned in the opening beyond. Only an instant did they stand motionless. Then Fred grasped the rope and gave the signal to be hoisted to the top. They told their sad story, and a messenger was dispatched to. Mr. Hilton’s residence. Soon the entrance to the shaft was a scene of wild excitement. The stricken relatives of the buried man had reached the spot as soon as possible. The father offered large | rewards to any who would attempt the rescue Car] Hilton was an only son, and because | of his parents’ indulgence had become selfish and tyrannical. His father idolized him, and was blind to his faults. He was to be- come a partner in the mines on attaining his majority. As Mr. Hilton had been out of | health for more than a year, Carl had at- | tended to most of the business, and he had so tyrannized over the miners that they one | and all hated him; but they loved and re- spected his father, and for his sake bore in silence the abuse of the son. To this birthday ball all the miners and their families had been invited, rumors of the great beauty of Nina Hilton only added to the excitement and anticipa- tion. I will not wea tion of the affair, and no event of interest occurred until supper was announced. It fell to the lot of Fred Chase, one of ‘the of his son; but not a man would volunteer. Mr. Hilton doubled and trebled his re- ward, but to no avail; to his entreaties were added the frantic pleading of the mother and Nina’s distressed sobs. Fred had stood silent, with his eyes bent on the ground, until the old man, in sheer despair, cried out: **J will give half f my fortune, and it is |a large one, to the men who will help me | reach my bo} Fred came forward with a look of resolve }on his face. and the | | to rescue hi y the reader by a descrip- | foremen in the mines, to escort. the beautiful | Nina, and so deeply did they bceome en- gaged in conversation that it was some minutes before Fred noticed that Car] sat directly opposite, and was watching them closely. cealed his annoyance, and continued his at- tentions to Nina. ‘‘T intend to visit the mines to-morrow,’’ said the girl, in tones loud enough to be heard by her brother. ‘‘I want to descend the new shaft.’’ ‘‘f shall be very happy to conduct you through the mines, but you must not de- scend the new shaft, for it is not safe. I have warned your brother that the roof. of the mine is in danger of falling, but he only laughs at me, and I fear some terrible acci- dent will be the result of his neglect.’’ ‘*You are a fool, Fred Chase! is safe enough; if you talk like this, the men will all be afraid of it, and refuse to work. Ishall take Nina there myself to- morrow,’’ said Carl, angrily. trolled himself, and answered, coldly: ‘I spoke the truth; the shaft is not safe, and unless more timber is put in to support the roof, you will soon have proof that I am right. I only bope that no lives will be lost.” ‘‘Pooh! You area coward. I will show you to-morrow how little faith I put in your words. The eyes of all present were drawn to the | two by Carl’s excited tone, and Fred’s reply was plainly heard. ‘Call me a coward, if you will, but time will prove the truth of my assertion., N: y /lect for twenty-four hours to order more |frigate Ranger you have doubtless heard about. I havea lieutenant on board from | | timber to be placed in the new shaft for the support of its roof, and you alone will he re- sponsible for what follows.”’ Carl did not answer, but glared angrily at Fred, who, after a minute’s pause, turned to Nina again, and changed the subject of conversation. The following morning Carl started for the new shaft alone. Nina refused to accom- pany him, and begged him to delay his visit until the roof was made secure. ‘‘Nonsense, sis! It is safe enough. That fool, Fred Chase, wanted to impress you.’’ Carl believed what he said. He had not visited the shaft for several weeks, and had not seen the timbers bend beneath the weight of earth above them. He reached the shaft just as half a dozen miners came from it, and in answer to his inquiries, was told that Fred Chase and anotber man had re- mained behind to finish filling the last car with ore. ‘‘T am going down,’’ he few minutes was lowered to the shaft. In the distance he could see the lights of the two miners. He advanced to- ward them. By the light of his own lantern he saw that some of the beams were bent; all seemed weighted to their utmost capacity, and he could not but own to himself that Fred Chase was right. He involuntarily shuddered as, in passing one large post, a slight crackling sound was heard; but it was not repeated, and he went on, determined to again make light of the matter. ‘“You see, I am not afraid of your shaft,’’ he said, sneeringly, as he reached the spot said, and in a the bottom of With an effort the young man con- | ‘“‘Mr. Hilton, rot for your entire fortune would I enter that mine to save your son; but for humarity’s sake, I will do my best A cheer from the miners greeted’ these brave words. With a wave of his hand, Fred commanded silence, and running his | eye over the crowd, said, slowly: ‘“‘T must have three trusty men to help me. Who will go?’’ For an instant no one responded; then Charles Gray, Fred’s chosen companion, stepped to his side. ‘*] will go, Fred,’’ he said, quietly. Two more men quickly followed the ex- ample of their brave leader, and armed with | spades, bars, ropes and a bottle of brandy, | jany strain that The shaft | returned to th The young man’s face flushed, but he con- | they were lowered into the shaft. Then followed a time of anxious suspense to the waiting crowd, who could only pray the safety and success of the rescuing party. The first act of the workers was to place extra beams, a few of which were lowered down the shaft for the purpose, as near as they could to the fallen roof, to*help bear might be resting on those already there. .In a few minutes they real- ized their wisdom, for a cracking sound was heard which caused them to retreat toward the shaft; but it was not repeated, and they eir work. At the end of three hours of cautious digging they came to the car ‘which Fred and his companion had stayed behind to fill, and they stopped for 4 few moments’ rest. ‘He cannot be far from here, for we had barely reached the shaft wh> the roof fell. Hark! What was that?’’ Fred stopped suddenly to lister ‘Tt was a groan! He is alive! Let us gat to work, for he must be quite near,’’ said Charlie Gray, excitedly. With new zeal they worked on, and in half an hour they had reached an opening caused by two large rocks, which had fallen together in such a manner as to leave a space between them. In that space lay for Carl, with one arm doubled under him, and one foot pinioned by a large stone. The poor fellow was terribly bruised and cut, but conscious. Very gently he was lifted by the men and borne to. the foot of the shaft. The signal was given, and they were carefully drawn to the top, and when they laid Carl on the ground a shout went up from the mivers that echoed loudly over the hills. ‘“‘God bless you, Fred, and your brave companions!’’ said Mr. Hilton, huskily, as he grasped the young man by~the hand. ‘*From my heart I thank you.’’ ‘*No thanks are due. I could not bear to see a fellow-creature die without trying to save him.’? The crowd soon dispersed, and Carl was conveyed to his home. After many weeks of suffering he recovered; but the crushed foot was useless—he was a cripple for life. As soon as he was able to do so, Carl sent for Fred. ‘“‘Forgive me, Fred,’’ he said, frankly. ‘‘] was wrong not to heed your advice, but my punishment has been great. Forget the past, and allow me to thank you for saving my life.’’ Fred could not refuse the apology thus offered, and the two became fast friends. About a year afterward Mr. Hilton be- stowed his daughter’s hand upon the brave young man who had saved his son’s life, and on his wedding-day Fred became one of the owners of the mines. He is now a wealthy and prosperous man, aud, with his beautiful wife, is almost worshiped by the miners. | ISSUED WEEKLY. | NEW YORK, MARCH 23, 1895. | Terms to Good News Mail Subscribers: (Pos 3E F'REE.) One Ye . | 2 copies, L copy, two y i KLY, both, one year, $ post-office or expr bank check or dr ~ = = += $2.50 4.00 Bmonths + - - - - 4months - - -.- - EWS AND N. Y. W SEND MONEY. 3 gistered lette money at our your own ri if sént by postal currency, coin, or postage stamps in ordir lette REN Ls.—The number indicated on your address wviption expires. All label denotes when your subs BS, if subscriptions will be stopped promptly at expiration of time paid for. RECEIE Receipt of your remittance is acknowledged. by proper change of number on your label. If not cor rect you have not been properly credited, wud should let us know at once. ‘Co CLUB RAISEI pln copies to aia you in obtaining g AGEN’ Our responsibility for remittance: pS pune oily to such as are sent to us direct, and we will not gnarantee the reliability of any subscription agency cr postinaster. All letters should be addressed to STREET & SMITHS GOOD NEWS, 27 & 20 Rose Street, N.Y. ens.—Upon request we will send sam- ibseribers Back numbers, of GOOD NEWS can always be Obtained from your Newsdealers. If they do not haye them please send direct to this office and we will supply them by mail on receipt of price. Advertising rates, 50 cents per agate line. R Contents of this Number. SERIAL STORIES. | “Jack Ferdham, Second Mate,” by Clarence | Conver “Little Snap,,” by Victor St. Clair. “In the Days of the Gladiators,” by Alfred Armitage. “Fighting for Freedom,” by J. Gibson Perry, U.S. N. “A Prison of Ice,” by Lieut. James K Orton. “Three of a Kind,” by Paul Ingelow. “The Tour of the Zero Club,” by Harvey Hicks. “Chip and Chuck,” by **Pat.” SHORT STORTE, “‘A Brave Deed,” by Henry Clark3. “An International Postage Stamp.” “How We Caught Our Orang-Outang,” by Captain Lindsay Armstrong. “The Down Express,” by W. L. Summers. REGULAR DEPARTMENTS. “Short Talks With the Boys,” by Arthur 5 Sewall. ‘“‘How to Do Things,” by David Parks. “Ticklets,” by Chas. W. Foster. “Mail Bag,” “Exchange Department,” “Club Notices,” etc. ~ WEEK AFTER NEXT. | The first of the three great serials we promised you. A story of a boy who goes upon the stage, | It. | Minis and his trials and triumphs behind the foot- lights. This tale gives full particulars of an actor’s life, and will afford you much information of a most fascinating deseription. It is written by a theatrical manager of experi- ence, and one who is thoroughly posted in all details, Don’t fail to read AFootlight Favorite; ’ OR, BORN TO BE AN ACTOR. By MANAGER HENRY ABBOT. ee ee ea HOW WOULD HE KNOW? A small boy of my acquaintance, who is of a very inquisitive nature, asked his nurse if there were any servants in heaven? She replied that she did not know, and asked him why he wanted to know? ‘*Well,’? he said, ‘‘when I go to heaven, | national | cussed on |involving so many complications, however, | Congress, which is the body that legislates | body An International Postage Stamp. \ROBABLY no agitation regarding reforms in the postal system of the “§ world has had such deep interest to <> those whose hobby consists. in the accumulation of the thousands of different varieties of postage stamps as that which looks forward to the adoption of an _ inter- postage stamp. The subject is not anew one to the countries comprising the Universal Postal Union, for it has been dis- many occasions. It is*a matter that it may be many years before it becomes an actuality, but that it will yet become so is the firm belief of those who have given the matter the deepest consideration. Under the present covention between the countries of the Universal Postal Union, the international is fixed at five cents per half- ounce, or the nearest equivalent in the coinage and weight of foreign countries. There are some who assert that a universal postage stamp is a virtual impossibility, un- less there is a precedent condition of inter- | national coinage. The reason assigned for this view is that if there is even the slightest discrepancy between the values of the rela- | tive coins of the countries which adopt the international postage stamp there will be a decided tendency to purchase the stamps in the country where the relative value of the current coin is least, thus working a hard- ship and injustice to all the other countries. How this obstacle is to be overcome has not yet been fully developed, though various means have already been submitted and dis- cussed. The last time the matter was seriously considered was in 1891, at the Vienna Uni- versal Postal Congre when the United States submitted a plan for an international stamp. This was the first detailed scheme brought to the notice of the Universal Postal government of the international postal system. It was left for final action o the Washington Postal Congress, which meets in 1897, but the matter is even now attracting much attention in the more important countries concerned. The matter will form one of the most in- teresting subjects to be discussed at the coming Postal Congress, and some action is certain to be taken. The delegates composing the congress have full authority to act for their respective governments, and if the matter is brought to a satisfactory termina- tion treaties will be signed, which will con- tinue in force for five years. Quite recently Germany placed a proposi- tion before other Postal Union countries for the adoption of an international postage stamp, and there is every likelihood that many of the European countries will adopt such a stamp. One of the principal reasons urged for this innovation is the convenience resulting in communication between merchants in differ- on countr: Firms in one country have frequent occasion to write to those in other countries for certain information, and are obliged to depend upon the generosity of comparative strangers, not only for the in- formation desired, but for payment of postage of the reply, unless the former pro- vided themselves with the current postage stamp of the country to which the letter is addressed, a matter of considerable difficulty at best, and most frequently an impossi- bility. Another great advantage is cited in con- nection with consuls, who receive many letters of inquiry from the residents of the country they represent, but which never in- clude return postage, owing to the in- eonvenience of procuring the necessary stamps. It is also announced that the German ter.of Posts has designed a_ suitable stamp, and formulated a plan for its adop- tion. It is expected that the proposed stamp will mention on its face all countries in which it will be current, also its value in the currency of each country, though the details of the design are still maintained a secret. If this idea is carried out, the stamp, it is believed, will be considerably larger than those now generally in use, especially if any additional inscriptions are to be made and appear in legible form. An international stamp will also be a great convenience to those desiring to remit small amounts to foreign countries, for correspondents will thus be furnished with an easily available and inexpensive means of exchange. Should this departure go into operation, 16 may be the stepping-stone to a system of in- ternational coinage. Many stamp collectors view the idea askance, as they fear it will result in taking away the charm of collecting by eventually confining the varieties of stamps to a very limited number, as the fascination of stamp collecting, as in all other kinds of collecting, lies not so much in actual possession as in the pursuit of the objects sought for. These undoubtedly lose sight for the moment of the immense field that already exists for the philatelists in the many thousands of differ- ent stamps. issued since the one-penny black of Great Britain became their precursor. for the and knock ‘at the door, how shall I know if anybody is in??? GoonD NEWS. stamp, there is little probability that all countries will adopt it at first One great advantage, assert, will accrue to collectors from the fact that as each of the various countries ceases to issue its own particular postage the earlier issues of those countries will go up in value like a rocket. Collectors will Manipulation ’? It is a valuable work to : have, and can be purchased for two dollars. it is pretty safe to} Another good book is entitled ‘‘The Mechan- ics’ Tool Book,’’? which contains valuable iggestions for iron workers and others, and tamp, | costs one dollar and a half, A READER, Washington, D.C,, writes: “I am 17 years of age and am attending the high thus have to fall back upon the old stamps | gehool. I would like to become a doctor, Would to fill their albums; and as there will not be you consider this a good profession to enter, nearly enough to supply all the wants of | and what studies should I begin now,if any? philatelists, those who begin now to invest in old issues may expect to make a small fortune when the international stamp is an accomplished fact. ——> + > —____ TALKS === | by SHORT ‘With Tue Boys. J. B., London, Ont., writes: “I am 16 years old, five feet seven inches tall, and of a roving disposition. I would like to learn the traveling business; is it any good? Whatis the pay per week? What trade would you advise me to learn. I weigh 125 pounds.’”’ | EDITED BY ARTHUR SEWALL. The fact that you are, as you say, ‘‘of a roviig disposition,’’ does not imply that you would make a success as a traveling sales- man. The most successful drummers bemoan the »necessity of traveling. There are very | few knigh the road who find a satisfac tion in flitting from town to town. Long hours in railway trains, cheerless hotel rooms, and many dreary minutes spent in wind-swept railway stations aie the parts of his life that the salesman likes the least. The test of a drummer is his capacity to sell goods. His silvery tongue and power of persuasion form his stock in trade. If you do not think that you could induce a mer- chant to patronize your own house to the exclusion of others, you had better nor em- bark in the business. It would be impossible to advise you con- cerning a trade, unless we understodd your tastes and inclinations. Cast about and see if you fancy any one particular calling, then write us again. L. B. G., Detroit, Mich., writes: ‘Am think- ing of taking up newspaper work as a special | correspondent to some daily outside of Detroit, | or an Associated Press reporter. A short nar- rative on duties, salary, where to apply, and any other information pertaining to the above jects that will be useful to a novice will re ceive my upmost attention.” The work to which you 1refer—that of special correspondent and Associated Press reporter—is not very easy to obtain. The Associated Press is thoroughly represented in Detroit, and as most of the ‘‘outside dailies’? secure their news from it, you can easily see that special correspondents are at a discount. The only hope we can offer you is that you may possibly obtain an opportunity to repre- sent some | country newspaper. This, of course, would be a start, and, after you have ‘‘fleshed your maiden pen’’ on the Bee- ville Clarion or the Squanton Vindicator, you may be able to take a step higher. The duties of a special correspondent are manifold. They are supposed to keep pace with the news, and, if anything of more than local interest occurs, they must notify their newspaper by telegraph and furnish all details. Special correspondents are generally paid by space rates: that is, so much a col- umn or portion thereof. Such papers as the New York Herald or World pay eight dol- lars a column. A.J. P., Washington, D. C., writes: ‘I would like to be a mechanical engineer, or perhaps I should say a mechinist, and if it will not take up too much space will you kindly tell me something about it in your Short Talks. What would I have to study, and if unable to go to college how could I get a practical knowledge of the trade? I am at presentin the high school studying, among other subjects, physics, draw- ing and manual training.” ©. 8., Bucksport, Me., writes: “I am 18 years of age and think of being a mechanical and sta- tionary engineer. Ilsita good trade, and how much should a person get a week if he went to work in a machine shop? Would you advise him to work in such a place or study from books, or would you advise him to work in a machine shop and study at the same time?” The machinists’ trade is one of the many that must be learned practically. It is not taught in colleges, but through the’ medium of hard work in a shop. The same must be said of mechanical and stationary engineers. Apprentices or helpers are taken on in every shop, and these become full-fledged machinists and enigneers in due course of time. It is the only way open to a prospec- tive learner. The wages paid a beginner range from three to five dollars a week, and the work- ing hours are from seven until six. Much aid can be derived from night study. The machinist’s helper who devotes his idle hours to theoretical research is bound to | give scholarships. Are there any colleges that give scholarships ? If so, how can one be obtained ?”’ Your ambition is certainly praiseworthy, and you have undoubtedly selected an honor- able profession. The pursuit is a noble one, and is rightfully regarded as the most hu- mane of our age. If you take up medicine, you must make up your mind to study bard for at least four years. And, after you are a graduate, you will find it up-hill work acquiring a practice, which will take a number of years | more, In small cities a good all-around doctor succeeds the best, and obtains a standing without great exertion. In large cities the specialist makes the most, but he has to de- vote himself diligently to every difficult case presented, and wait for professional as well jas public recognition, which, as a general rule, is slow in coming. After you have passed through the high school, or, if, possible, in connection with your studies now, it will be well for you to take up anatomy and physiology. Also ground yourself well in botany, as it applies to medical plants. A number of colleges For full information, ap- ply by letter to the College of Physicians |and Surgeons, New York city, or the Penn- sylvania Medical College of Philadelphia. G. E. D., Philadelphia, Pa., writes: ‘Can you inform me Whether there is a position to be ob- tained as druggist on board our naval school- ships; as to how much it pays, and as many facts relating|to itas you can obtain? Tam learn- Ing to be a druggist. Do you think it is a good business? I am a constant reader of your paper, and consider it the best paper I have tried yet. GooD NEWS will always have my support.’ Every war vessel carries a druggist. He is called *‘Apothecary,’’ and ranks with the chief petty officers of the ship. The pay is sixty dollars per month, and a ration of nine dollars and thirty cents additional. The medical corps of the navy is systematically formed. Large ships carry from two to three doc- tors, and smaller vessels one only. No cruiser has more than one apothecary, but they carry in addition two nurses, who act as aids to the druggist. The duty is light, and the quarters supplied, first-class. Besides the dispensing of medicine, the apothecary is supposed to understand minor surgery and to be able to make out the numerous reports required by a ‘‘red tape’? government. The position enables a young man to travel in foreign parts at no cost to himself. It is secured by personal appliea- tion to the surgeon of the war vessel selected by the applicant. We consider the drug business a very good one. Many thanks for your kind opinion. SPECIAL Notice.—Many communications, improperly addressed to this department, are answered in the ‘‘Mail Bag.’’ ee THE HEIGHT OF ADULATION. The Duke de Nivernais had a steward whom he. greatly esteemed, and who was dangerously ill. Wishing to see how matters stood with the poor fellow, the duke stepped into his room and had the extreme conde- scension to make personal inquiry as to the state of his health. The dying man, utterly bewildered at the honor that was being shown him, raised himself up in his bed with great difficulty, and said, in a tone of the most abject humility: “Ah, your grace will, I hope, not be offended at my dying in your presence?’’ The duke, deeply touched, answered: “Not in the least, my good friend. You need not mind me.’?’ | And the steward forthwith availed him- self of the gracious permission of his mas and yielded up the ghost. > +e SIBLE OLD MAN. An old man went into a life insurance office and asked to be insured. The compa? asked his age. His reply was ninety-four- J ‘“Why, my good man, we cannot insut" you,’?’ said the company. ‘*Why not?’’ he demanded. ‘ “Why, you are ninety-four years old.’, a “What of that??? the old man crie™ ‘Look at statistics, and they will tell ¥° that fewer men die at ninety-four than 4? other age.’’ = i Tommy—‘‘Is it wrong for little boys @ smoke, papa?’’ ae -apa—‘‘Very. It takes away all thei ap petite among other things.’’ it, Tommy—‘'Well,. lL have to take to %) succeed. And, againy while’ there is scarcely a doubt that we shall shortly have an international There is a book entitled ‘‘Workshop Man- ipwator; or, the Economy of Workshop - papa. Those preserved melons that mano told me not to touch is tempting me 4 gether too much,”’ ou od ny is he is of ‘he lly OC- No ut act ht, the 10r the e”? ing , to ea- ted ug for ns, nt, ard was ;ers ped de- the rly ing ith the be you jm- ter nce any r ure jed: you any i e Renee ti =S ae ite = SST wean iomaialmaaaa Seneca eer ears aaa aaa ~ GooD NEWS. 4073 (This Story Will Not be Published in Book-Form.]} Little Sns hen minutely described each; The mention of the name of the postmaster LE? LE 'TTThe Fostboy of the Kanawha; OR, THE CHAMPION OF UNOLE SAM.| Author of “Little Hickor I “The Youn (“LITTLE SNAP” was commenced in No. 253 CHAPTER VII. ‘‘rHE TRUTH IN A NUTSHELL.’’ HIS explains a \ squire,’’ said Dan > head toward the rec why he did not wish to his vered p ‘Kage. ‘tT thought it was best to git here as soon as | possible. ’’ The sheriff was examining the package BY VICTOR ST. CLAIR, | | | Mountain Express,” “Zig-Zag, the Boy Conjurer,” | that was the name you called those vaga- g Stone-Cutter,” etc., etc. | Is??? : Back numbers can be obtained of all News Agents ‘¢ Mis come up to your house with his hoss, | SN } > }man, Mr MW listening intently, to say, k ye AS 4 | at his conclusic ‘1 do not be 3 we should attribute any ] to what they said. The > strangers to both y every one in Mon- y, would seem to warrant us in be- 0. By the way, do you realize the |error you made in neglecting your duty to |run after those worthless Raggles—I think ‘*T am aware, sir, it was a mistake. e? It was criminal neglect of duty - young man. The rules and regulations laid ‘*Come into the. house, ples down by Uncle Sam are very strict. You | field. I won’t detain you very lo are to keep all mail intrusted to your hands | ‘*We’ll see he don’t git away,’’ said Shag. | in sight at all times, and here you went off | Without noticing Dan Shag’s speech, Mr. | f hour and, according to your own Warfield followed Little Snap into the house left the mail-pouch entirely unpro in silence. Why, that very act was enough to As soon as they had entered the humble t you your situation. Remember I am not | sitting-room, and Mr. Warfield had sunk into | upbraiding you, but speaking to you as a the proffered chair, the postboy said to his| father would to his son.’’ | guest: now I did wrong, Mr. Warfield, but | ‘*What I am going to tell you, Mr. War-| the circumstances were such that I could more closely, while Mr. Warfield looked | field, is not so much in my defense as it is to! scarcely do different. Mrs. Raggles- from him to the post- boy with a peculiar ex pression upon his face. “What does all this mean???’ asked Mrs. Lew is, in an anxious voice. ‘My boy has done noth ing wrong; I am sure of that.’’ ‘*Do not be alarmed, mother,’’ said Little Snap, gently. ‘Please go into the house, and will explain it to these men.”’ ‘*So you confess to the theft?’’ inquired Mr. Warfield, quickly, with out giving Mrs. Lewis time to speak. ‘(No, sir. In fact, I do not know as there has been any theft.’’ “‘Non’t get excited, my boy,’’ said Mr. Warfield, in a more kindly tone than he had previously used. ‘‘We are all your friends, and are not here to injure you. Mr. Shag came up to tell me about the missing package, and I thought it was best for us to see you before it had been noised all over town. Own up to the truth and we will not be hard with you.’’ “T am not going to tell you anything but the/truth, Mr. Warfield. How that package of mail came in my saddle pocket is more than I can explain. I certainly did not put it there, nor did I know it was there.’’ ‘“‘Ask him if he can explain where he has been the past two hours. I came straight up here from th’ Tree, an’ he was sartinly not on th’ road. P’raps he has a cross road by which he carries th’ mail. I s’pose thet would give him more chance to look over th’ letters; but is thet the way Uncle Sam ex pects him to carry it?’’ ‘‘Mr. Warfield,’’ said Little Snap, knowing it Was not best for him to Speak too freely before the rest, ‘‘I would like to see you alone for a few minutes. I think I Can explain this matter in a satisfactory Manner.’’ “Don’t be afraid to speak right up before hese gentlemen,’’ said Mr. Warfield. ‘‘ They | show up a startling discovery I haye made. | are all my friends, and my friends are | yours,?? But Little Snap was too crafty to divulge us secret to Dan Shag, whom he did not are to trust. k ‘I cannot speak here where I am liable to 98 heard by some one even you would not house, Mr. Warfield, I will say what I wish You to know.?? 8 *Don’t ye risk yer life in his hands,”’ ; ae “*He is armed an’ a desprit ¢ “a th adn’t I better arrest him now, and o0 give him his chance to talk?’’ asked the Sheriff, «a Atrest my boy??? cried Mrs You do—you cannot mean it.’’ Be calm, mother. You have nothing to am ‘ They can arrest me if they wish, but I nai nnocent of any charge they can bring inst me. On what complaint did you ink you could arrest me, Mr. Brady?’’ Jin sont believe I would harm him yet, Mr. Warfield hastened to say. ‘If ‘© anything you wish to say to me ix, I am ready to listen.’’ Lewis |as you can.’? Then Little Snap gave a succinct account | have carried the Kanawha mail for two | LOOKING UP WITH DREAD EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT HE WAS TO WITNESS, THE POSTB ‘*Don’t mention their names again. From If you will allow me, I will begin with an| your own words the worthless vagabonds adventure I had on Eagle’s Tracks, and tell | could not have been in troyble. It seems | | you just how I came in late to-night.’’ | they were safe enough when you got clear of ‘Go ahead, only make your stoiy as short | your troubles.’’ | ‘I do not understand it, Mr. Warfield. I }of all that had befallen him after leaving | years without failing to do my duty, and I | plotters against the Government.’’ Uncle Solitaire until he had effected his es- | hope you have confidence in me to think I cape form the cave, often interrupted by his | can fulfill my term.’’ | listener with startling exclamations and puz ‘“‘T did at the outset, or I should never | ‘aie | Care to. have hear. If you will come into ‘my zling questions. have obtained the place for you. But I must ‘*You are romancing, boy! I cannot real-| feel that you are attending to your duties. ize half you say. should say you had unearthed a band of | expecting piles of mail matter, and I want ‘‘T do not know just what they meant, but | very election, to Congress may depend upon I do know they are a gang of evil men, who | it.’ would hesitate at no means to carry their | ends.’? ‘‘While I am surprised at what you have | that district. almost as long as our hero could said, your statements are lacking in the| remember, and he well knew that he was elements that would make them valuable as| still in the field—‘‘in the hands of his evidence. You say you did not get the real | friends,’’ as he expressed it. drift of the talk between the four men, and|/°‘‘Mr. Warfield,’’ said the postboy, in his that you recognized none of them.’’ | quiet, determined way, ‘‘I am not going to ‘‘] do not think I ever saw them before, | make any new promise, but I repeat those I though the voice of one sounded very famil- | have made, and when you have found me hari’? | faithless to my duty I will willingly make ‘‘ Will you describe the party?’’ | room for Mr. Shag or any other man.’?’ it.’” Mr. Warfield had heen a seeker after the Why, from your talk I| My political prospects are such that I am | to know that it is coming to me safely. My | |nomination as member for Congress from | | of Hollow Tree made the politician wince. ‘*Bah! he isn’t half so competent to carry the mail as your horse, Jack.’’ ‘Still he is making all of this trouble, simply because he is mad with me for get- ting the route when he wanted it. There you have the truth in a nutshell.’’ CHAPTER VIII. ‘*] AM STANDING ON MY OWN FEET.”’ ou sy DON’T know but you are right, Dix. I Still, you haven’t explained the worst 4! feature of your case. How came the missing package of mail in your posses- sion ‘‘T cannot tell. Some one must have put it there, but who or when, I cannot say.’? ‘‘You said it was missing before you got yllow Tree?’’ Yo, sir. Isaid it was not in the pouch when I looked for it at the request of Mr. | Shag; but you must remember I did not see the pouch until after he had examined it, and had had. the opportunity to take it out if he had chosen.’’ od ‘“‘Be careful how you make any charges you cannot back up. I must say you are exceedingly outspoken.’’ ‘‘T am standing on my own feet, Mr. Warfield, and I am going to tell you just what I believe is the truth. I will know the mystery of that packet of mail before I get through. "You seem to forget the attack of the Burrnocks.’’ ‘On the contrary, I have been thinking of them very much, and this leads me to give you a bit of advice. I ad- vise you to give up this mail route at once. You were too young to have undertaken it.’’ Little Snap looked up with surprise. “T hardly expected that from you, Mr. War- field.”’ ‘*Excuse me, I was thinking only of your good. Those Burrnocks are desperate men, and I fear it will cost you your life to continue. Perhaps you think you cannot afford to give up so good a job, but you can better’ spare it than your life.’’ ‘Our living depends on my work,’’ replied the postboy, with a quiver- ing lip. ‘‘More than that, and what I prize infinitely higher, my honor is at stake. If I give up now it will look as if I was guilty of the charge of taking the mail. I feel it thus my duty to stay where lam, until I have been able not only to prove my in- nocence but to show up the guilty ones.’’ ‘““You cannot do this alone, and of course if those who have put you in this place do not think it prudent to back you up in your rashness you cannot blame them.”’ Little Snap understood more by this statement than the mere words told, as the speaker in- tendea he should. Draw- jing his boyish figure to its full height with an air which made the politician start with surprise, if not fear, he said: “Mr. Warfield, I want to know who my friends are, and you and I might as Well | have an understanding at the outset as later. Of course Tam very grateful to you for | signing my bond and helping me so far as | youhave. Now, if you wish to withdraw, I |shall have no ill-feeling; but you must re- member that Mr. Marion Calvert owns the | contract for this route, and as long as he | has confidence in me to carry the mail I do not expect to give way.’’ | Little Snap was bolder in his speech than he might otherwise have been, as he knew that Mr. Warfield was anxious to keep on friendly terms with this Mr. Calvert, who had a strong political backing. Mr. Warfield’s reply, which came after a moment’s hesitation, was more friendly than he had dared to expect. “‘Bravo for you, Dix Lewis! Give me your hand. You are made of just the stuff to suc- ceed, and I can see that you will do better than nine men out of ten. Your words have opened my eyes. Go ahead, and count upon |me to lend you all the assistance in my | power. Every dollar I have got inthis world | and all of my personal influence is enlisted 25> vai 4074 in your behalf. bondsmen feel, but you mind ‘*T suppose the others are anxiously await- so let’s adjourn this meeting. I will it all right with Brady.’’ thanking his mother to allay ing u ma Little Snap, after for his words, sought her fears. Whatever the politician said 10 the Hollow Tree postmaster and Sheriff Brady he did not know, but the entire party went away at once. ‘‘Tt’s all right, mother,’’ he said to her, as soon as the men had gone, ‘‘so have no further concern.’’ ‘“‘T wish I could think so, my son; but somehow I fear there is trouble in store for you. Mr. Brady has been telling me about those Burrnocks, and he says they will kill you at the first opportunity. They are dread- ful men, and I fear they would not hesitate at any crime. I wish you would give up car- rying the mail any longer, Dix; we can live somehow.’’ ‘It isn’t all name is at stake now ““The boy has too much of the blood of old a living, mother; my good 2? John Lewis in his veins to do that, Mary,’’ said a new voice, breaking in upon the| scene before Mrs. Lewis could reply, and mother and son turned to see with surprise a tall, middle-aged man standing in the door- way. He was Little Snap’s father. “Why, John! where have you asked Mrs. Lewis, starting toward him. have been so worried about you.”’ ‘‘No need of that, Mary. I think I ought to have shown you by this time that I am able to take care of myself.’’ been??? oO Mr. Lewis was a man who was a mystery | |an eye trained for whatever might The rustling of a leaf would cause him to to all who knew him. He was generally con- sidered mildly insane, but more often spoken of as ‘‘the man without a memory.’’ His past life seemed to be a void to him, except at rare intervals when a ray of light would suddenly flash across his darkened mind, to go as quickly as it had come. Of late years he had been at home but very little, though where he’spent his time not home knew. Of course his wife worried over his strange conduct, but as long as he was harmless and seemed, as he had said, able to sare for himself, it was not thought best to keep him at home by force. The Lewis family was one of the oldest and most respected in the valley of the Kan- awha, our hero being directly descended from those gallant pioneers of the dark days of the Old Dominion, Join and Samuel Lewis, well-known to the pages of Virginia history. ‘«John,’? said the anxious wife, ‘‘I wish you would not be away from home so much. What is it’ calls you away so much? You look pale and haggard; there is some trouble.’’ ‘‘There is trouble, Mary, and I have been trying to think what it is. For the present we must wait, though it will all come round in good season. “Did I tell you, my son, that you had aroused the snakes of Blazed Acre? You must carry a level head. Most of all, look out for those who profess the greatest friend- ship. There, that is all I can think of now. I must leave you now, Mary. I will be back again to stop longer next time.’’ Then, in spite of their remonstrances, he went out of the house and was not seen again that night. Though it was late before our hero retired, he was on hand at his usual hour the follow- ing morning, and promptly at six he, called at the post-office for the mail-ponch. According to his directions he was ex- pected to leave Six Roads at six o’clock and arrive at Upper Loop at eleyen in the fore- noon; returning, he was to’ start, from the last office at two in the afternoon, to get back to the home office at eight in the even- ing. To do this, he made a shift of horses at Salt Works, with extra animals at the ends of the route to go every other day. This was:the day for Jack to rest, Little Snap riding a small, brown mare that he had named Fairy. Though not as intelligent | k |said the postmistress at Greenbrier, as the bay, she was even fleeter of foot and perfectly obedient to the will of her young master. ‘So you are going to try it again,’’ said the postmaster, as he handed out the pouch. “T advise you to keep your eyes open, and not to lose sight of your business again,’’ Hardly knowing how to take this speech, the postboy nodded in assent, and touching Fairy iightly, dashed down the descending road toward Daring’s Diamond. It was a beautiful day in early autumn, and it was but natural a seventeen-year-ol(l boy, full of life and activity, should throw off the cares and anxieties of his position, to break forth into snatches of song. ‘‘T never felt so light-hearted in my life he cried, ‘‘and I hail it as a good omen. I can’t think that you and I, Fairy, will find any such hornets’ nest to come through as Jack and I did yesterday.’’ Thus, with a cheerfulness which puzzled those who knew of his adventures the previ- ous day, Little Snap kept on without inter- ruption, until he was about half-way be- tween Hollow Tree and Greenbrier, when he was surprised to see Tag Raggles spring from the bushes by the wayside into’ his 9 | I don’t know how the other | know my state of | | Mr. Warfield | bad Burrnocks | | | | | even those at | | CrOOD ‘*T want to speak to you, mister,’’ she Well,’’? said postboy, reir up | Fairy, and waiting for the elfin-like girl to speak. | Giving a hurr glance arou si pecting to see some one in pursult of she said: ‘Dad sent me, he said he did yit for the kindness you tried to do him yesterday. He said for you not to’go on alone. Them are laying in the rock in Wash Bowl to ki go ct!’’ seeing Little Snap’s look of Devil’s erlong! F; doubt on you as you a s face. ‘‘Don’t tell who told yer,’’ and before he could speak, she had vanished into ,the depths of the woods, | CHAPTER IX. | THE LOST LETTERS—A TERRIFIC TRAP. "3 vy, T would be difficult to describe Little | 4 Snap’s feelings, as he listened to the receding sounds of Tag Raggles’ re- “=> treat, following her strange warning. ‘It may have been only a scare, after | all,’’? he mused; as he resumed his journey. | ‘‘T judge the source whence it came is not | very reliable. It would do me no good to} speak of the affair at Greenbrier. The mere mention of the name of Burrnock is enough | to give them the fits there. But I will keep | my eyes open if I decide to go it alone.’’ | Though at first he thought of mentioning the matter to the postmistress, Little Snap | concluded to say nothing of the threatened | danger, while determined not to be caught | off his guard. Thus he rode into the Wash Bowl that day | with uncommon nervousness, and an ear and come, | | | | | start, and once he) felt sure he saw the out- lines of a man’s form behind one of the bowlders. But no manifestation of danger presented itself, and with rising hopes he ascended the,| way to the Narrows, expecting now that if | he was attacked at all it would be on Kagle’s Tracks, where-he had so narrowly | escaped from the desperadoes of Blazed Acre | the day before. | This. trepidation on the part of the post- boy does not by any means go to show that in true courage, but it was | utural consequence under the he was lacki ather the ns reumstances, He drew a good long breath of relief as at | last he passed over the summit and caught a | wide view of the broadening valley of the} Kanawha. | ‘‘The warning was a scare, or Raggles was | ¢ mistaken,’’ he said, aloud. ‘‘But I will con- | fess it was trying. Move a little faster, | Fairy.’? Little Snap was never accosted by the old hermit on his dgwnward trips, so he met with no interruption until Salt Works was reached, where he changed horses and re- sumed his journey with less than fifteen minutes’ delay. ‘‘Our future Congressman seems to be well favored to-day,’’ remarked the postmaster at Upper Loop, when Little Snap was ready to start on his return trip at two o’clock. ‘‘He has no less than six registered letters, and I imagine some of them are valuable.’’ The postboy paid little heed to this care less speech, not realizing how vividly he was to recall it before he got home. ‘“Well, well,’’ said the gossipy clerk at the Salt Works office, ‘‘the Honorable Jason is in luck this time. Six registered letters, and anomination in each one, I suppose. To speak the truth, I suspicion. he would give all these letters for a seat in Congress.’’ Once more, borne by Fairy, Little Snap began his tedibus ascent over the mountain forming the huge backbone between the val- leys of the Great and Little Kanawha and Greenbrier. He found Uncle Solitaire awaiting him under the live oak, with the usual question | and melancholy message, after which he | reached Greenbrier without adventure. | ‘Six registered letters for Mr. Warfield,”’ if there was a conspiracy to keep this fact fresh in Little Snap’s mind. However, he heard nothing further of the precious letters until he had accomplished his, hard day’s work and given the mail pouch into the hands of Mr. Rimmon at Six Roads. Nothing unusual had occurred at home during the day, and after supper the post boy went into the post-office, where he found a dozen or more men gathered. Whatever the subject of their conversation had been, it was suddenly dropped upon his appearance. He did not intend to stop, and inquiring if there was any mail for those at his home, he was turning away, when he heard Mr. Warfield say, in his loud tone: “Only three, Mr. Rimmon? I there ought to be more.’’ ‘*That is all reaching this office, Mr. War- field. ’’ “They may get along to-morrow, but I was expecting three or four others, and two of them I was certain would come to-day. You must have overlooked them.”’ as am sure Little Snap’s attention was held by these words, and instantly his mind reverted to | will get along without further trouble. | or explain the reason of their not coming. | eds | Mr. Rimmon, in g postmasters on his route, so nothing dis- | turbed the even tenor of his tripy until he | of the missing NEWS. | registered letters. Had one-half of | ch their destination? | his speculations Mr. War- | 1 failed to rea the midst of proached him, to inquire about his In field ay day’s tri let me know if anything | Dix, though I hope you Per- | By the way, I do not suppose | fail to unusual happens, haps you v | you know anything about my registered let- | ters?’? | ‘T would not be expected to, would I, Mr. | Warfield?’’ replied Little Snap, answering | him with another question. ‘*No; I hardly suppose you would. Still you want to keep your eyes and ears open. [ had some letters due to-night which have not come, But to-morrow will bring them } At the first quired of Mr. Rimmon concerning the ters, to learn that there were really opportunity Little Snap in- | let- three ‘less than had passed through the offices on his route as far as Greenbrier to his knowl- | Rimmon, | “Why, there .were six, Mr, said started from Loop, and Budd there were as many at her office. ‘‘What! That don’t seem possible,’’ replied reat surprise. ‘‘Who would | ”? Grass ” dare to stop them! ‘“'That is what is puzzling me ‘Say, Dix,’’ cried the postmaster, ab- ruptly, ‘‘if I were you I wouldn’t mention this to any one else. Don’t you see, it looks bad for you.’’ ‘But 1 haven’t had the handling of them,’’ ‘‘T know; but at the same time it might cause a suspicion against you. I hope they will come to-morrow. I won’t say anything about them, and we will see what a day brings forth.’?’ Not wishing to give his mother any un- necessary alarm, Little Snap said nothing of the missing letters at home, though he was |} troubled not a little in his mind concerning their fate. Mr. Rimmon did not mention them the following morning, nor did any of the other ” was entering the gloomy region of the Devil’s Wash Bowl and thoughts of the Burrnocks of Blazed Acre succeeded those letters. Naturally enough Little Snap’s gaze was fixed upon the rugged scene ahead, with that intentness born of the intuition of dan- ger. He was passing that point in the de- scent into the Bowl where for a few minutes the craggy heights would be hidden from his view, when he was surprised to see a white speck appear for a moment upon the dark background. Quickly stopping Jack, he soon saw a sim- ilar object rise above the beetling rocks of the Narrows, and after wavering for a moment in the air sink out of sight. At a loss to know what these meant, he watched the place for several minutes, though he saw nothing further to explain the mystery Resolved not to be caught off his guard if any harm was intended him, he rode cau- tiously forward into the valley and on up the Devil’s Stairs leading to Eagle’s Tracks. Not a sound broke the solemn silence of the wild scene, save the steady tread of Jack’s feet, and he began to breathe easier as he approached the upper edge of the Tracks and drew near the Narrows. “In a moment I shall be around the point of rock and——’’ . A terrific explosion suddenly cut short his thoughts, and looking backward, he was startled to see a huge portion of the cliff overhanging the narrow road topple over and fall with a deafening crash on the spot he had just passed. Jack jumped madly forward at the start- ling, sound, unchecked by his rider, who was as anxious as he to get beyond the frowning wall of rocks. The next moment he reached the Narrows and was almost at the angle where the way suddenly wound around to the other side of | the cliff, when a second explosion, more startling than the first, broke upon the air. | Looking up with dread expectations of what | he was to witness, the postboy reeled back in his saddle as he saw the whole side of the ledge falling upon him, while huge blocks of stone were sent flying over his head into the chasm yawning upon his left hand. 5 Too late to reach safety ahead, unable to turn back, a shudder ran through his frame, as he realized that the next moment he must be crushed into a sbapeless mass by the rend- ing rock! (TO BE CONTINUED.) > 6 oe ARITHMETIC. PAT’S A native of Dublin once went to England. On his arrival he was’ accosted by two Cockneys, who were bent on testing Pad- dy’s mental Calculations. ‘‘Hoow many people are there here, Pat?’’ they asked. “One hundred,’’ answered Pat, with a twinkle in his eye. ( Both Cockneys burst out laughing, and when they had ceased asked him how he made that out. ‘‘Faith,’’ said Pat, ‘I am the one and ye are the two naughts.’’ | Author of “Between the Lines [This Story Will Not be Published in Book-Form. ] A PRISON OF ICE; OR, ALICE GARTLAND’S RESCUE. OF AROTIOC BY LIEUT. JAMES K. ORTON, ie Havens A STORY EXPLORATION. “Tom With the White Squadron,” etc. “A PRISON OF ICE” was commenced in No. 247, Back numbers can be obtained of all News As CHAPTER XXII. THE CATASTROPHE. HE ropes were unloosened at the same 2 moment, and the earth seemed to sink from under the air-ship as she rose suddenly, apparently reveling in free- ( 7 | dom. ‘‘It wouldn’t be possible to find a_ better day for the trip!’’ Neil exclaimed, as the balloons ascended rapidly to a height of fif- teen hundred feet, and still continued up- ward with a sweep toward the west. ‘‘It possible to distinguish the surface clearly, and the current is bearing us exactly where we want to go. Get your glass ready, tor we must examine everything beneath us.’’ This last was not as easy a matter as be- foré the snow disappeared. During the first ascension a white field was spread out beneath them, and it was only necessary to scan any dark object which might he upon it; but now the greater por- tion of the snow had disappeared, and it re- quired constant work with the glass to scru- tinize properly the country ‘‘Don’t go too high,’’ Spence said, as he obeyed the order. ‘We are sailing across the country so fast that it is necessary to be quite low down in order to make certain we are not passing anything which should be seen.’ ‘Pll hold her as she is, and when we reach the chain of hills you will be as near the surface as is safe.’’ It was on the rising ground that the boys believed their chances of learning the poor girl’s fate would be best, and both kept the glasses to their eyes, as the air-ship passed over the hills. There was little foliage to he seen. Here and there a few stunted bushes, not large enough to have concealed one of the run- away dogs, and, in patches, short , grass hardly more than two inches in height cov- ered the brown earth. After crossing the chain of hills a broad plain about ten miles square was met, and here the vegetation was quite luxuriant as compared with the rest of the country. North-west. of this was a higher range of land, and, as nearly as the boys could judge, the distance to the coast was about fifty miles. ‘‘T fancy we are getting beyond where the captain came, and a sharper lookout than ever must be kept,’’ Neil said. ‘‘What a pity we can’t regulate the speed.’’ ‘*Tn that case you would have come mighty near solving the problem of aerial naviga- tion, and the question of steering an air-ship would sodn be a simple matter. They had been four hours on the journey up to this point, and were sailing at the rate of a trifle more than twelve miles an hour, which would bring them a hundred miles from. the bay when night came, the distance Neil had hoped to make the first day. The plain afforded nothing in the way of the knowledge both were so eager to gain, and when it was crossed a chain of..peaks lofty enough to deserve the name of moun- tains was reached. Here it was necessary to ascend a few hundred feet higher, and Spence said, as he threw over a small amount of ballast: ‘*When we stop, I think it will be a good idea to take on a lot of .ice, for our carg? will soon be exhausted if we continue to ris® and fall as we have done thus far.”’ ‘(We sha’n’t lack for anything of that kind. Now it is positive we are farther from the bay than the captain came, otherwise he would have spoken of these mountains. the dogs ran as many miles as this, they must have been winded before crossing, 4M [ believe we should make a thorough search of the vicinity.’’ ‘To do that it will be necessary to come to a halt, which costs us so much gas that the voyage will be shortened materially.’’ “You are right, and yet we may not be able to get back here on our return.’’ ‘Very well; you are the skipper of craft, and have no permission to ask you want to anchor.’’ ne “Then we will stop. Get out the guide rope, and I reckon there’ll be little trouble in finding holding ground among these ice blocks.’ Five minutes later the air-shiy J tionless on the western side of the moun tains, and the boys were making preparé tions to moor her securely before attempting a thorough examination of the locality. It was three o’clock in the afternoon, is this when » was m04 and =a om in th ab ie] we bu on ‘ f wi sig aft asl] the gir hin hai do cro the son plie and ing unt: ran; ing mor able toa very be © hav posa sal Walk forg, Upon My there Scor here ory « to pr Perin eu) ery Woul dle; Ate a; cp be fo) the C Sha]] Soone: Morr¢ Make Noun “ Bi 8mon, me ca Tt Where €chanc, the ti; Share to us Sary Whe - he } ade 1 s as ly ch r= e- u- he he be we be ve ar YS or he sed ere rge un- ‘aSS Ov- oad and , as 9 of ige, ifty the han t a ‘hty iga- ship ney the ; aD dred the first LY, of rain, aaks oun- few as he good argo ) rise that from ise me they , ant earch come that nS ot be p this when snide- g rouble se 108 1s m104 moun epare” apti ng n, and es = oF said, as they attached the hawsers to ‘‘We may as well put things in order for the night, because it will be dark before we make the circuit of the mountain.’’ ‘‘All right. You attend to matters here, at When and IJ’ll start once. you are through, take a trip down to the plain and back.’’ Then Neil set out, and Spence, like a thoughtful cook, saw that the provisions were where they could be gotten at handily before he obeyed the latter portion of Neil’s commands. They could not have chosen a better place in which to spend the night. Sheltered completely from the light breeze, there was no danger the air-ship would toss about very much, and the only inconven- ience to be feared was the loss of , which would have been greater had she been buffeted by the wind. Like all the other searches for Alice, this one proved fruitless. Spence performed his share of the labor without being rewarded: by the slightest sign, and when Neil returned, half an hour after the night had come, it was needless to ask him, for the expression on his face told that he was no wiser regarding the poor girl’s fate than when he started. “It’s discouraging,’’ he said, throwing himself on the floor of the car as if ex- hausted by his long tramp; ‘‘but it won’t do to give up the hunt. The dogs must have crossed this chainof mountains, otherwise | the captain or Mr. Halsey would have found something.’’ ‘*We have only just begun,’’ Spence re- plied, consolingly. ‘‘This is the first peak, and there is no particular reason for believ- ing they came across this exact spot. Wait until we have followed along the entire range,’? ‘‘l’m afraid we sha’n’t succeed in explor- ing very much, for our gas won’t hold out more than three days under the most favor- able circumstances, and when we are forced to abandon the balloon the progress will be very slow. Halsey predicted winter would be upon us in three weeks, therefore we haven’t a great deal of time at our dis- Posal.’? ‘It will take us not less than four days to Walk back in case of good weather; don’t forget to allow that when you are figuring upon the time we can stay.’’ **I sha’n’t be likely to forget it, for there’d be little chance of ever seeing Scoresby’s Sound again if we should stay here until the snow began to fall. The mem- Ory of our first tramp is yet green enough to prevent me from wanting to try the ex- periment a second time.’’ “What is the programme for to-morrow?’? “That depends on the wind, of course Would like to drift down the range if possi- ble; but don’t suppose we shall be so fortun- ate as to strike the right current.’’ “There is another thing which must not ® forgotten. It is necessary to keep well on the other side of the range, otherwise we Shall be obliged to abandon the balloon Sooner than we have counted on. After to- Morrow noon it will be a difficult matter to Make her rise high enough to clear these Mountains. ’? _ ‘But we could most likely find passes 4mong them, through which we could drag 'e car, even if the wind didn’t serve.’’ pat will be better not to put ourselves meee we are forced to depend upon such a ', nce, Supper is ready, and this is one of he times when you get out of doing your 4re of the work, because we can’t afford Guse as much alcohol as would be neces- ry to heat dishwater.’ When the meal was concluded the boys ade their preparations for the night simply th Closing all the windows, and rolling “Mselves in their blankets. ing ine to the labor and loss of sleep dur- i the previous twenty-four hours it was in ~2any moments before their eyes closed “umber, and neither awakened until half “our before daylight next morning. pie Spence attended to the cooking, Neil Bagi, to form his plans for this second Th Ww ork, Tang, Wind still held from : ran north and south, Birgh ror to derive any bene Westy. it would be nece Spengtds the direction cone® had warned him. loon Riyan.t lie idle, and I fancy the bal- to bp Ill be sufficiently buoyant by evening Slant re back, for the breeze may take a y ee ‘Ore then,’’ he said to himself, as he “Wey cduaint Spence with his intentions. Nn the is skirt along the base of the range Of the oe estern side, where we shall be out telling Urrent entirely,’’ he explained, after "i Siac assistant how the wind held. ‘im KO the chances of getting back.’’ y ‘at Wonld be all very well if we had er etance Gf a hee 2. omy ut ce of a breeze from the west; and the may continue this way for a week, rs y 10W are we to get batk?’’ That WauPandoning the craft, of course. va S what we agreed upon some time . There ; this aie no reason why we should have tae be iat ei climb, though. The journey PO}. but « enough without adding to the as is as you think best, ’’ Spence Saw an impatient expression the east, and the their travel which fit from ary to against come over his companion’s face. ‘‘I came GooD NEWS. here to get news of Alice, and don’t propose | to kick up any row simply because my ideas not do agree with yours.’’ The breakfast was eaten in silence, for both the travelers felt nervous regarding the risks they were about to take. Neil’s uneasiness was not as great as his | companion’s, but even though he had pro posed the trip, he knew perfectly well what might be the result. The sun was just peeping above the hori- zon when they were ready to start once more on the apparently endless search, and the young voyagers could ‘have a full view of the country over which the air-ship would was rough, rising in ridges here, and furrowed there as if by the action of water, with neither level places nor decided hills, and almost entirely free from snow. Clumps of small trees grew in many spots, and Spence fancied he saw flowers. 4075 done now. We’ll How is that var- but it can’t be stop when we come back. nish coming on?’ ‘It’s beginning to melt.’’ ‘‘Suppose you hand me lamp and all up | here? Then I can save time by using such portion as is in proper condition.’’ Experienced in such work though the boys were, their anxiety to seve the air-ship was so great that neither realized how extremely dangerous it would be to bring a flame so near the escaping gas, and Spence passed the lamp through the aperture without hesita- tion. It seemed to him as if he had but just placed it in Neil’s hand when a tongue of | flame leaped upward, and a second later | there was a blinding flash and deafening re- port, after which he was dimly conscious of moving swiftly through the air. Even in this brief interval he realized what had happened, and said to himself that they must surely be precipitated to the bot- ‘‘Tf the dogs ran into that place the sledge | tom of the crevasse. wouldn’t remain on its runners minutes, even allowing they could get across the range without upsetting it,’’ Neil said, half to himself. many } ‘‘That may be a good reason why we| should look there.’’ ‘*We shall have the chance, at all events. Let’s get under way, and we’ll allow balloon to skim low enough to clear those ridges. ’’ In this respect Neil was not able to do ex- | actly as he pleased. the | It would have been the height of impru- | dence to let off gas for the purpose of bring- ing the air-ship lower down, and there was no opportunity to take on more ballast with- out a great amount of labor, owing to the fact that just at that spot neither ice nor rocks were obtainable. When she was freed from her moorings the balloon hung in the air some distance below the tops of the peaks, and Spence began to calculate how high it would be possible to make her rise at evening after the ordinary loss of gas, by sacrificing all their ballast. ‘*If we ever cross this range again it will be on foot,’’ he muttered to himself. ‘‘In twelve hours there won’t be lifting power enough in the bags to take the empty car very high.’’ The monster sailed slowly along at a dis- tance of about six hundred feet from the surface, and the boys now turned all their attention to the country beneath them, until suddenly and without apparent cause, one | corner of the car dropped several inches. ‘*What’s the matter now?’’ Spence asked quickly. ‘*T don’t know; but if seems as if one of the guides had collapsed. Help me through the roof, and I will try and remedy it.’’ Before Neil could gain the desired spot the opposite corner sank, and the car swung to and fro as if under the influence of a heavy gale. ‘‘There’s something wrong, certain,’’ Spence cried, as he attached the rope ladder that his companion might clamber up, and Neil replied, when his head was through the | aperture: ‘‘One of the guides has gone completely, and a second one appears to be collapsing. Is she sinking any?’’ ‘‘T should say she was!’’ Spence cried, as he looked. hurriedly from the window. ‘‘In about three minutes we will be on the ground !’? ‘“«Throw out ballast !’’ : There was no necessity for giving this order; Spence had already begun to pitch over everything which was not absolutely necessary, and even with this lessening of the weight the air-ship did not ascend more than four hundred feet. ‘“*Can you discover the trouble?’’ he asked, when he had done all he could, save to sacrifice the provisions. “Tt is the varnish we used. It is peeling off all the seams, and the gas is escaping freely.’’ ‘‘Can nothing be done to prevent it?’’ “There is a small can of the stuff on board. try to hold what vapor we have left.’’ ‘*Can you apply it there in the opemair?”’ ‘It must be done if we want to hold on to this craft a day longer. Start the spirit lamp going so it may be heated, and throw out everything we can spare. The rope lad- der, the second anchor, and one of the hawsers may go.’’ Spence followed these directions to the let- ter. After the preparation for filling the seams of the silk had been placed over the lamp, the articles spoken of were thrown over- board, and the air-ship rose to a. much greater height. “‘T reckon we can repair the damages, and get her back across the range after all,’’ Neil cried encouragingly. ‘‘Say! Look be- neath us! There is one of those crevasses Halsey spoke about, and if poor Alice was pitched down a place like that there is little chance we shall be able to find even the evi- dences of her death.’’ Spence gazed from the window, and saw what might have been formed by some vol- sanic agency. It was a rift in the solid earth, running east and west for several miles, and fully a quarter of a mile wide. ‘*Here is where we should search !’’ he cried. | known would be the CHAPTER XXIII. THE CREVASSE. HEN Spence next realized anything he was lying on his back in the " bottom of the car, with a heavy of) weight upon his chest which threatened speedily to suffocate him. All was dark, and it seemed as if a stream of foul air was passing through\ the basket. Not a sound could be heard. happened, and then, as the last thought | which was in his mind before he lost con- sciousness, returned, he realized it all. ‘*When I was fool enough to pass the lamp to the top of the car, the gas exploded, and here we are at the bottom of that crevasse. The great wonder is that I am whole after such a fall; but what has- be- come of Neil?’’ | | | | that we have the proud distinction of being in a prison of ice, such as no other human beings were ever confined in before.’’ ‘*But this is no laughing matter.’’ ‘‘And Iam not laughing, by any manner of means. It is a grave question whether we shall ever be able to leave this place, and I’d like to know who could find food for sport in such a condition of affairs as that?’’ ‘*The sooner we make some explorations the quicker we’ll know our doom. Come on, I shall go crazy if we stay here long fancy- ing we are imprisoned forever.’’ Neil stepped out from the car as he spoke, and Spence followed close behind. There was no thought of taking weapons with them, for the wildest flight of fancy would hardly have imagined human beings could live in such a place, and the two walked rapidly forward over a surface Coy- ered with huge bowlders and blocks of ice. At this point the rift was not more than two hundred feet wide, the car having fallen exactly in the center; but as they advanced it widened until it was not less than a quar- ter of a mile across. Of its extent they could form vo idea. As far as could be seen it stretched out in the distance, and the boys believed it possible to distinguish the opening at least two miles ahead. ‘*We are likely to make a day’s journey before coming to the other end,’’ Spence said, after they had walked twenty minutes or more as rapidly as the inequalities of the surface would permit. ‘‘It will be night be- ’ | fore we explore the entire place, and then During two or three minutes he remained | | motionless, trying to understand what had enormous } Twice he called his friend by name; but | received no reply. Then it occurred to him, for his mind was | by no means free from the effects of the shock as yet, that perhaps the proper course would be to remove the weight from his chest before speculating any longer upon the catastrophe, and in acting on this thought he discovered that it was Neil’s body which was causing him so much pain. ‘*He is killed, and I am left here to die in this terrible place!’’ he said aloud, as he staggered to his feet, and groped around for some means of making a light sufficient to look at his friend’s face. The first object which his hands touched was the match-box, and, opening this, he lighted one of the tiny tapers. Neil’s face was deathly pale, but the twitching of his lips told that he was not dead. By alternately rubbing his hands and face, Spence soon succeeded in reviving: him, and the first question asked was: ‘“What happened? Where are we?’’ lamp where the gas was, as we should have case. I must say that two bigger fools than ourselves don’t exist in this or any other country. Now we are at the bottom of the crevasse, with no means of getting out, unless by some lucky chance it shoals upward, which isn’t likely. Are you much hurt?’’ ‘*‘T don’t think so. Judging from the sensa- tions, I should say I had been burned con- siderably about the hands and face; but it ran’t be so serious as to cripple a fellow, otherwise I would suffer more pain.’’ ‘“Can you get up?’’ ‘*T reckon so. Give me your hand.’’ He leaped readily to his feet, thus showing | that no bones were broken, and, after walk- | | } Suppose you heat some, and I will | ing across the car, announced that he was in better condition than a fellow had any right to expect after such a fall. ‘*We must have been up at least eight hun- dred feet, and I don’t understand how we escaped being dashed to pieces.’ ‘‘The basket broke our fall. in a great measure, and I fancy the air in this narrow place acted like a pneumatic cushion, such as they have in elevators, allowing us to come easy toward the last. Now-if you feel well enough we’ll try to find out where we are.’ ‘*Have you closed the windows?’’ ‘*No; they were open when we started on this downward trip, and I—— Now I see what is the trouble! The silk of the balloon has fallen around the basket, thus shutting out the light, if indeed there is any in this blessed hole.”’ By pulling the fabric away, it was soon possible for the boys to distinguish each other by the faint glimmer which came through the windows. They were not in utter darkness; and that served to cheer them in no slight degree. “Tt looks like a railroad cut between mountains,’’ Spence said, as he gazed out of the window. |‘‘We must be five or six hun- dred feet from the surface, and a fellow would need a pair of wings to escape from this prison. The sides of the crevasse are straight up and down, and appear to be cov- ered with ice. We can hug this flattering thought to our souls, and I guess it’s about the only enjoyable thing we shall find here, | even this faint light leaves us. Don’t you think it would be better to go back to the car, and wait till morning?’’ ‘*T must know as soon as possible whether we are ever to escape from this prison. It would be terrible to pass the night in such suspense. ”’ ‘*Tt will be quite as bad to attempt to pick our way through when we are no longer able to see the obstacles. ’’ Neil made no reply, but continued to press forward, the light growing more indistinct each moment; but in a short time he came to a full stop, apparently in the greatest ex- citement. ‘*What is the matter?’’ Spence asked. ‘‘Look! Look there!’’ Neil replied, in a whisper. Spence uttered an exclamation of surprise and fear. A couple of hundred yards in advance of them, carrying a torch high in his hand, was a man clad in skins, who had apparently come out from the very side of the rift. Owing to the light it was possible to see him quite distinctly, and for a moment or two the boys stood gazing at the stranger eagerly. That he was an Eskimo did not seem prob- able, Those people seen on the coast were short, with abnormally long arms, and legs about half the size they should have been, while the torch-bearer was a tall, well propor- tioned fellow, who looked as if he could hold | his own with any one in feats of strength. ‘*The balloon exploded when we put the | The stranger continued straight on up the crevasse a short distance, and then disap- peared as suddenly as he had come. ‘‘There must be caves in the sides of this tunnel,’’ Spence whispered, ‘‘and these peo- ple-live in them.’’ ‘I don’t have as much curiosity in regard to that as I have to how they may treat us. The tribe the driver of the dog team was so afraid of must live in this horrible place, and we are close upon their settlement.’’ ‘*T think it would be a gocd idea tc arm ourselves before we go any farther. If they are disposed to be ugly we shall stand a pretty fair show with a couple of repeating rifles, although there isn’t ammunition enough for much of a fight.’’ ‘‘We'll go: back,’’?’ Neil replied. ‘That man wotldn’t be here if there wasn’t some chance of leaving the crevasse, so our minds are set at rest on that point, and all we now have to worry about is whether they will at- tempt to do us any harm.’’ ‘“‘Of course the way out is some distance farther along, or we should have seen it be- fore this. Why wouldn’t it be a good idea to sneak past their caves in the darkness, in- stead of waiting to learn how they might re- ceive us?’ ‘‘Tt is possible we should fail to see the way up to the surface in the darkness.’’ ‘*Well, supposing we did? How much worse off would we be at the other end of the rift? I reckon one place down here under the ground is no worse than another.’’ ‘“‘We might try it, and then if they discov- ered us it would be time to attempt to make friends.’’ “It won’t pay to start until later in the day. We'll get a square meal, and that will put us in better condition to tackle the crowd in case it comes to a row.’’ It required fully half an hour to retrace their steps, and by the end of that time the bottom of the crevasse was in densest dark- ness. Neither of the boys felt exactly at ease re- garding their possible reception by the natives living in this odd place, or the outcome of the proposed attempt to escape from this \ prison. As Spence afterward said, ‘‘he didn’t think it was worth while to speculate very much about it, for he had no idea they 4076 would ever be allowed to gain the surface again.’’ They began preparations by fortifying themselves with a hearty supper, and then selected the weapons, being guided wholly by the sense of touch. It was absolutely necessary they should take blankets with them, for if the attempt proved successful, something in the way of covering would be necessary while they were traveling to the sound. Thus it was that they were well down when the preparations were pleted. Each carried two blankets, a rifle, and about twenty pounds of provisions, and although this load was not excessive, it was quite as much as they could manage while trying to make their way over the obstruc- tions in the path, which rendered walking most laborious. ‘*‘Now we must steal along as silently as possible,’? Neil said, as they stood for a moment in the car to decide upon the course of action before beginning what would prob- ably prove a dangerous journey. ‘‘I will lead the way, and you are to keep close _be- hind, in order to lessen the chances of our becoming separated. Follow my example in every particular, and if it begins to look as if we could not get. through, we’ll try to come back here.’’ “There’s one thing I want understood. Suppose they should discover us, and shut off both the retreat and advance; shall we fight then?’’ ‘*T think not, unless it becomes absolutely necessary in defense of our lives. In case they appear to be friendly we must meet them half-way.’’ ‘All right; go ahead, and I’ll protect the rear in great shape so long as there is no particular danger to be apprehended,’’ Spence replied, with a nervous laugh, which told that his gayety was only assumed in order to check his fears. (TO BE CONTINUED.) >+ > —____—— ONE WAY TO LIVE CHEAPLY. laden com- Joseph Tanski, the Polish refugee, nar- rates many stories of the shifts to which he and his fellow-exiles were compelled to re- sort in order to keep soul and body together. None of these is more curious and_interest- ing than one relating to his friend, Colonel Wilk, who had been decorated by the Em- peror of the French for gallant service in the French army, but who afterward found himself obliged to live upon twelve dollars a month. It was pretty tight work, and so Colonel Wilk had to confess; but one day he met with a strange bit of good fortune. He had been out for a walk, and was on his way home when a big Newfoundland dog came running down the street, pursued by a gang of boys and men, all armed with sticks. The dog, panting and terrified, ran straight toward Colonel Wilk, and took refuge between his feet. The crowd drew near with loud and excited shouts. ‘It is a mad dog! Kill him!’’ A policeman, more courageous than the mob, stepped forward, ‘Halt!’ shouted the knight of the Legion of Honor. ‘‘The dog belongs to me. It is not mad.’’ His resolute air, and, perhaps the red rib- bon in his button-hole made an impression upon the policeman. ‘Very well,’? he said; ‘‘since the dog is yours, lead him away.’’ So said, so done. Colonel Wilk took the dog home, washed and combed it, and then went with it to the butcher’s to buy it some scraps of meat. For twenty-five centimes (five cents) the butcher gave him a fine lot, and on his way home Wilk bought a few vegetables. All these bits—bits of meat, bones and vegetables—he put into a pot, together with a suitable quantity of water; and out of the pot both he and the dog made a sumptuous dinner. The problem of living was solved. Day after day, as often as his purse ran low, which was pretty often, he bought bits of meat ‘‘for his dog.’? Nobody was the wiser, and the Polish exile and his dog lived upon thirty-five centimes a day, and the knight of thé Legion of Honor could once more re- ceive his friends like a man of the world. oe EGGING HIM ON. Mr. McCullough, once starring as Virgin- ius, was supported by Will McConnell. As - the latter finished an heroic speech, | Virgin- ius clasped hands, and as McConnell retired up, discoverd the audacious young scamp had left a hard-boiled egg in his hand. He was ‘‘on’? for twenty minutes; his ‘‘busi- ness’? was in the center of the stage, and there was no pocket in his toga or in his tights. The bewildered tragedian delivered heroic after heroic, egg in hand, growling anathemas sotto voce against the practical joker; but he could not get rid of the ob- noxious egg. When at last he made his exit, he flew to McConnell’s room to kill him then and there, but that wise young man was packed securely in the flies, chuckling over the futile rage of the ‘‘star’’ down below, Goonp (This Story Will Not be Published in Book-Form. ] ee | | THREE OF A KIND: OR, The Parrot-Hunters of La Cruz. BY PAUL INGELOW. [THREE OF A KIND” was commenced in No. 245. | Back numbers can be obtained of all News Agents, } | CHAPTER XXI1X. ENEMIES AT WORK. \ LECK sat spell-bound viewing the > mutilated shoe in his lap, and feeling as might a miser visiting his treasure “chest to find its gold turned to worthless dust. ‘*T?ve been fooled all along. They are not my shoes at all!’’ he declared, positively. This discovery flashed into his mind all of a sudden, Heretofore, he had accepted the shoes blindly as the ones that had drifted away with the raft. He had never examined them closely until now. Their mutilation by the cobbler had changed them, and they had not looked familiar, yet he had all along had reason to believe that they were certainly the shoes the Mexican had found on the raft. ** Aleck !?? ‘Old chum, have we got you at last?’’ Boisterously breaking in upon him, Floyd and Bradley found their friend pale and dis- traught, like a person vexed over some ab- sorbing problem. For the first time Aleck told them the story of the shoes—why he_ had so abruptly left the camp; how he had just discovered his mistake. Then, guided by the advice of Mr. Hill, prompt investigation was made. The cobbler was visited and closely questioned; a mes- | senger was sent to the home of the Mexican who had sold him the shoes, All the next day was given to the attempted elucidation of the mystery. By nightfall the boys were satisfied on one point, and one only, all else was a puzzle— the shoes Aleck had were the same ones the Mexican had found on the raft. He knew them positively, he claimed, \by a-hole he had made in the heel back at the river to wire them together for convenient carrying. “J give it up,’’ sighed Aleck. ‘‘It’sa mystery to me. Those are the shoes the Mexican found on the raft, I believe that, and yet they are not my shoes. What does it mean?’’ ‘“To me,’’ said some one looted the the river.”’ ‘¢How??? “Saw it, stopped it, exchanged his own shoes for yours, and let it go again.’’ “Well, anyway, we may as well give them up as lost,’? remarked Floyd. ‘‘Come, Aleck, put money and shoes out of your 3radley, ‘‘it looks as if | raft on its way down mind. You’ve done nobly, but in a losing cause.’? Levi Barnes was sought for, but not found. He seemed to have entered and. left the village the same day. Mr. Hill made the closest inquiries as to the boys’ intentions, took down Hermosa’s address, promised to visit him on his way to Matamoras, and, looking Aleck earnestly in the eyes as he shook his hand at parting, said: ‘‘When you get through with your parrot- hunting, I should like to hear from you.”’ The return journey to the camp on the La Cruz was begun, Floyd and Bradley radiant over the return of their lost friend, Aleck, excited over their stories of parrot-hunting, eager to enjoy its variety and adventure, but never free from the conviction that his whole duty would not be properly accom- plished until he had traced up those mys- terious shoes, and had secured a confession from Levi Barnes. Shoes, Levi, the astronomer, all the troublesome complications of the past drifted into forgetfulness during the next week. Aleck’s return to the camp settled the little community upon a fixed basis of peace and work. Parrot-hunting became a practical enter- prise. Every swab lifted from its nest meant twelve big silver dollars, and in the promise of certain reward for their efforts, the boys worked like beavers. Pedro was quite gay, and insisted that Aleck had brought new luck to them, for moving to a second camp, they seemed to have discovered a district fairly duminated by parrots. As Pedro gota bonus of three reals for every fifth fledgling they caught, he saw the coops crowd fuller and fuller with supreme satisfaction, Aleck entered heart and soul into the enterprise. He developed marked ability as a climber; he seemed never tired of sitting around the camp-fire at night, teaching a favorite bird he had captured himself to whistle ‘‘ Yankee Doodle.’’ The days drifted by in congenial compan- ionship. The expedition had covered about who an hour later laughed heartily at his own discomfiture. |a little rise back of the river, with the | citing adventure. They had some encounters NEWS. words: ‘*Here friends.’’ ‘‘What? Stop hunting?’’ ejaculated Floyd. ‘*No; for we have not yet got our five hundred birds, We will make these ready for shipment, and devote a week to a gen- eral hunt in the thick coma groves over the river. We can cross with the aid of ropes, but the burros cannot, so we make this a permanent camp,’’ we make our last camp, my The parrots were now taken by degrees from the large coops, and put in twenties and fifties in cages made of wire and cane, that could be easily strapped to the backs of the burros. Pedro explained that in a few days they would start over the rough and rugged ground, most of it primitive soil, for La Cruz station, forty-five miles away. There they would remove the cages toa boat bound for Tampico, while the peons re- turned with the burros to Santiago. At Tampico the birds would be transferred to a coast steamer, landed at Corpus Christi, and thence shipped by rail to the North. It seemed as if the boys were destined to close their expedition with no further ex- with snakes, they were chased by a stray bear that had wandered from the Rio Grande, they’ nearly captured a mountain | lion, but nothing serious occurred to mar the serenity of their prospects until one | afternoon, the third preceding their in- |} tended journey to the coast. | Bradley, Aleck, Pedro and all the peons, | even the cook, had started off across the river for a two days’ hunt down a tributary of the stream. The last venture in this direction had been | most successful, and its repetition Pedro | calculated, would make up the requisite five hundred birds, with many to spare. Floyd had gone with the first expedition, but suggested that this time he be left in charge of the camp. This had been consented to, and after feeding the clucking, cawing brood and at- tending to the burros, Floyd started off into the near woods in quest’ of mocking birds, which were just beginning to brood. They proved an elusive prey, and he went farther than he intended. It was late in the afternoon when he turned his steps again in the direction of the camp. As he neared its vicinity he looked a little startled, and then a little frightened, for a faint column of smoke was ascending from the spot. “‘That’s queer,’’? he murmured, uneasily. “T left no camp-fire, and the others could scarcely have returned.’’ He came to a dumfounded halt at the edge of the grove—the burros had vanished, the parrots were nowhere in sight! By the side of some smoldering branches lay the stores of the camp, packages torn open, their contents scattered on the ground. It looked as if a lot of vandals had de- scended on the spot, had eaten their fill, cast the rest contemptuously aside, and then, appropriating the entire equipment of the camp, had made off. Floyd ran all about the vicinity, pene- trated neighboring thickets, and examined the ground. Unmistakable traces of invasion showed. Strangers, thieves, had visited the camp; the disturbed earth indicated a rapid course of the robbers and their booty toward the mountains. What should be do? It was folly to think of reaching Pedro and the others, probably twenty miles across the river. Floyd hesi- tated, and then followed the trail of the burros and their new masters. Beyond the timber was a barren plain. Then came the foot-hills, then the base of the mountains. For two hours, crossed the varying landscape was obscure. Night had come on, and he lots his bearings. The thieves were headed north-west, and out of range of village or settlement. They were striking for the Rio Grande, it seemed certain. They had got queer plunder, but rich booty, all the same. Once landed on Ameri- can soil, they would be practically beyond the reach of the law, and could dispose of the parrots at their leisure. Floyd pressed on for another hour, and was about to abandon the chase, when, past a line of rocks, he saw a faint glare. It grew as he neared it. Crossing a gully, climbing its other ridge and scrambling out upon a rock looking down twenty feet into a nest of verdure, he made out a camp-fire, around which were gathered eight stalwart Mexicans and a boy. The latter did not seem to be a Mexican, although he wore a sombrero, and a sash at his waist, and swaggered about the fire as freely as the others. Its flames showed his face more fully as he turned around. ‘‘Why, it’s Levi Barnes!’’ declared Floyd. ‘‘He has found us again. He’s bound to make something out of it all, no matter who suffers; he’s hand-and-glove with | these ruffians. It’s too bad!’’ Floyd put out his hand with an excited gesture as he spoke, but at once drew it without halting, Floyd till the trail had already He saw a pair of gleaming eyes directly at his side, and as he. heard a low.growl he knew that a panther lay crouched in the bushes, and that his hand had struck its bristling muzzle. Floyd drew back and seized the first mis- sile handy. lt was a broad piece of bark, and he raised it as the panther made a spring toward him, and grasping it with both hands, thrust it forward forcibly, like a shield. It’s surface met the claws of the panther, and forced it back. The bark split in two at the contact, but the animal had lost its balance. With a movement half-way between a backward spring and a somersault, it went rolling down the incline, and landed directly in the camp-fire about which the marauders were gathered. : CHAPTER XXX. THE EARTHQUAKE SHOCK. Oya 4 i i NE whisk of the panther’*s supple » body and singed paws sent the brands cattered far and wide, and with a screech of pain it disappeared in the nearest thicket. Taking advantage of the commotion that ensued, Floyd crept to a big tree stump, and hidden by vines that covered it, felt himself safe. ‘‘Watching these fellows won’t do much good,’’ he reflected; ‘‘I must devise some way to stop them. There’s the burros and the parrots. When they all go to sleep, I'll get a little closer.’’ But the marauders had no thought of sleep, as Floyd soon learned with dismay. They had not even unpacked the burros, but, having cooked and eaten a meal, were now prepared to start on what seemed an all-night jaunt. ‘“‘They plan to get a start against pur- suit,’’? decided Floyd. / ‘‘It is folly to think of returning to the river and finding Pedro now. ‘These fellows are gone forever once I lose sight of them. I?ll follow straight on, hoping they will pass some town where I can appeal to the authorities and have them arrested.’’ That conclusion led Floyd into the weariest tramp of, his life. Until long after sunrise the cavalcade kept up a continuous journey, pausing then in a little .valley, apparently out of the course of all regular travel. Floyd watched and dozed at a distance for some hours. At noon the marauders started off again. Floyd pocketed the fragments 0 their breakfast and pressed on. When they again halted at dusk, he fol- lowed their example; when a renewal of the march was ordered at midnight, he dragged his tired feet in their wake. In the dim, misty dawn, the procession stopped again, on a plateau, and the sounds of an animated discussion reached Floyd’s ears. A difference of opinion seemed to have led up to a positive quarrel. He caught a few Spanish words which he understood, for Aleck had been giving him lessons lately. Curiosity led him to venture nearer thé rock-strewn spot where his enemies were. One of the paniers which had carried corn, but which was now empty, had been cu loose from a burro some rods from the stop: ping place. Floyd pulled it over him, aD watched through its cracks. He soon understood what was going OM As the mists rose, he observed a little tow? just over beyond the plateau. Some of the men, it seemed, insisted on # visit to its tavern. The leader had dissente@, They would only be safe in the fastnesses ? the mountains, and he advised that they press forward, leaving no trail for possible pursuers to follow. : The vote of superior numbers prevailed, however, and with no little satisfactio™, Floyd saw the last one of the men disappred in the direction of the village. He wate them even to the door of a ram-shack building, evidently a tavern. ne The burros had not been unpacked. f bird cages still strapped to their sides, they stood munching the short grass near by- Levi Barnes had been left on guard. od careless sentinel he soon proved. He mount the burro that had been divested of the empty corn panier, and raced it across plateau. Floyd crept from concealment- tay “Tt looks as if they don’t intend to Spe here long,’’? he ruminated. ‘‘I must get 0 sb, village. I don’t understand much Span vies but surely enough to tell the autho! 0d that these men are robbing my friend myself. Mercy! what is this?’’ ib Of a sudden there was a jar, then 4 a tory sensation. . The solid rock appears oscillate unsteadily. The earth tremble Floyd shook with it. The burros UY sharp neighs of terror. Over at the edge of the plateau whe slanted to the town, some rocks starter el ing down the hillside, A sharp pop som jou Where solidity had been a moment pre there was now a gaping fissure. | a vide? Floyd saw the burro that Levi ha ‘ing to sink to its knees, and Levi himself sp his feet. r latter 406m nn ra" it ro} Tape a mile a day since entering the bottoms, and one night Pedro halted the laden burros on pack, for a contact cold as steel and sharp as a needle met the tender flesh. With a shriek of fear, the } pis Ont down the incline in the direction © : panions had taken. A rolling stone jad Di him and swept him off his balance ca ru fic | Spi for : the the 7 roc Cau tion for “¢ eye: in t Sibl M bac] the deat all ¢ refle, Cr a 0dg¢ ints | The fami ore | C ae Ount down fortuy t scrambled as much as thirty feet. Then, P picking himself up, but still screaming, he fe ran on. . A crash sounded beyond the plateau, be- i yond even the flying Levi. It came from 9 the direction of the village. S Glancing thither, Floyd saw its houses - rocking like paper structures. One edifice hb in particular swayed like a reed in a storm— oe the tavern. i Its sides curved, the eaves seemed to meet, Ba the building caved in, and the Mexicans o who had just entered were caught between its the collapsing walls. ‘*It’s an earthquake!’’ e Floyd uttered the words in horror as he ae caught the echo of dismal cries from the bly ruined tavern, and saw the townspeople an flocking thither. The burros near by had started from the spot. They had mistaken the voice of nature for some command of man. In Indian file, more smartly than was their wont, they picked their course over the plateau away from the town. ple The leader was disappearing around a nds rock as Floyd ran after them. When he h a caught up with the burros, they were cau- the tiously crossing a wretched foot-bridge, i formed of long logs, and spanning a chasm. that “Do I dare?’’? Floyd asked himself, his and eyes glowing with excitement and hope, as self in the situation of the moment he saw a pos- Sible solution to the enigma of three days. auch Maimed or killed, the Mexicans were held oe back, at least temporarily, by the effects of rot the earthquake; and, half-frightened to i death, Levi Barnes had lost his nerve and f all care except for self-preservation. Floyd vie reflected, then he acted. iy? Crossing after the burros, he used a heavy TOs; rail as a lever. One after the other, he dis- were lodged the bridge timbers, and sent them d an into the sbyss. } ‘* Vayase!’’ he cried. ae The burros started up briskly at the oe familiar command; the feathery brood they Pec om ore renewed a clamorous screeching. eas strange charge in hand, alone in a wild ht; oa Country, Floyd pressed doughtily forward here down ‘the lonely defile—the nest-egg of a » them W ‘fortune in his keeping. eariest (10 BE CONTINUED.) sunrise . festa age ig gh eee Suntal STOPPAGE OF NIAGARA FALLS. nce for The following remarkable stoppage of started | these falls appeared in the Niagara Mail at ents 0 the time of the occurrence: ,. Chat mysterious personage, the oldest he fol- Inhabitant, has no recollection of so singular 1 of the = 9Ccurrence as that which took place at jragged the falls on the 30th of March, 1847. The ; ao hundred and twenty thousand tons of ocession , maser per minute’ nearly ceased to flow, sounds ' a dwindled away into the appearance of a Floyd's sere mill-dam. The rapids above the falls a urely disappeared, leaving scarcely enough have le Ater to turn a grindstone. ht a few on Ladies and gentlemen rode in carriages ood, for the third of the way across the river toward 1s lately: mn, Canadian shore, over solid rock as aver the mh as a kitchen floor.” ies weres tS hi: he Zris says: ‘Table Rock, with two ied cord, angered yards more, was left dry; islands been cu day. ‘Places where the foot of man never the story Bae to tread have been visited, flags him, a2 Way tPon some, and mementoes brought roing on” tor bis event is attempted to be accounted ittle tow h Rr Y an accumulation of ice at the lower a of Baty of Fort Erie, which formed a sort ie ‘ mM between Fort Erie and Buffalo. isse’ stnesses of usc SE RT ae TRIE that they " ULAR TRAINING IN JAPAN. r possibl 8 J; : a. . Dhygjit APanese have very queer methods of revaileds Tso} : training. The wrestlers pound their tisfactions With ¢ has make them strong. They butt disappe® fam Ir shoulders against posts, and they fa watch hejy Te earth to strengthen the muscles of vm_-sbacklY : bac: They havera wonderful strength prength, and wrist, anda common test of cked. Thi ue Of 42° What is called wrist wrestling. sides; they thet a jo, uen will sit opposite each other, ear bY* ie i ittle table botween them. On this guard. tyes est the bare elbows of their right He mount hols 8rasping each other’s hands, will sted of oe th @ of turn/and see which can break the ; across t lity ely, 'e other. The acrobats can_ bend alment- af pele boys Into all sorts of shapes, and their nd 0 ste siqeorm ae about through the streets and ist got t sch rijgred Wop patic feats which would be con- ich SP re lye ig iders in our circuses. The jin- author? 20 Vig VS aes all over Japan, and this is friends # Aho ctia, on Aa by men. It is a species of spy ty ae thege ety wheels, and these men _pull when @ be to | Dae te little carriages at the rate of five appeat® and thyenty ate hour. The men sometimes rembled ret hg re 0t 6 es in twelve hours, and they ros utte Sh, m meat and milk, but on rice Jai eat wher glk REO Coe ee ia s start det JP FOR HIM. sour iis WRF oer re io” sister likes me, Tom- «ade? Sh a nad vido up me up for you at dinner.’’ self sp! Against nn 4», Vas anybody saying > .ROthin> of ) satter Mom 7 you much. Father said he ction DS yah UD ang 2.8004 deal of an ass, but + stone od pe by? Ought ne you wasn’t, and told alances & : hig looks, >> now better than judge a ‘ i COQ D> How We Canght Our Orang-Ontang, BY CAPTAIN LINDSAY —+-—— ANDERSON. ), y HILE on a cruise in the far East several years ago, I had occasion to visit the dominions of the Sul- tan of Bruni, on the north-west coast of the Island of Borneo, not far from the island of Labuan. One of my fellow- voyagers, Donald Ross, was a great sports man, and I verily believe -he would rather have spent his life in the forest than among the most luxurious surroundings of our modern civilization. After Donald and I had succeeded in gratiating ourselves with the sultan his ministe by a prodigal bestowal many articles, of more or less value, which were prized by these semi-civilized individ- uals and their many spouses and other re- tainers, we received permission to hunt and shoot over any portion of the sultan’s dominions at our own risk of ‘capture, either by wild animals or uncivilized Dyaks on the mountains, who had a strong cannibalistic in- and propensity, especially for orang-puti—white | men. Besides granting us permission to hunt over his territories, the sultan presented us with a gobang (canoe) capable of carrying four adults, if it were necessary, and pro- vided with the requisite number of paddles for its propulsion. On the morning following our visit to the palace and the receipt of the gobang, my chum and I started off up the river by our two selves on an exploration trip, taking nothing more death-dealing with us than a of | NEWS. | the forest in our direction, their demoniacal | yells adding a new and terrible dilemma to | our very precarious position. As Donald and I watched in breathless silence for the coming of the fast-approach- ing animals, ana prepared ourselves for | what might occur by hiding our bodies | among the foliage of our tree, and possess- ing ourselves of tolerably large clubs, guickly broken off from the tree, we were astonished to see the alligator beat a hasty retreat toward the creek; and as it rushed | 1 off it was pursued to the water’s edge by a | lot of shaggy-looking animals, almost in the form and shape of human beings. ‘‘Orang-outangs, as I live!’’ exclaimed Donald, in a whisper, as we watched the mob of infuriated animals chasing the ‘alli- gator back to his native element. ‘‘Tt’s all up with us if they spot us,’’ I whispered back to my companion, scarcely daring to breathe in case the animals should discover us, for they looked wild and _for- midable antagonists to tackle with a three- foot branch of a tree for a club. | ‘*They’re off down the stream after the | alligator,’? exclaimed Donald, as he sprang up from his reclining position on the branch. ‘“Now is. our chance; come on,’’ and as Donald finished speaking, he dropped from his perch, and you may be sure Il was close behind him. In less than a minute we regained our canoe, and we never stopped to draw breath until we were out on the river again, al- | though the orang-outangs pelted us with pieces of wood and other missiles as we ran | the gantlet past them. Where the alligator took itself off to we | never paused to speculate on, but made the best of our way back to our craft, not at all 4077 j and then signaled to his gong-beaters to cease their noise and make a backward move. As our warriors retreated, the orang- outangs came cautiously forward, howling and gnashing their teeth, as if they would like to annihilate us. At the request of the chief warrior, we all fell back to the extent of a hundred yards }or thereabouts from the trap, and then | came to a halt, to watch the proceedings of | the animals. As soon as they scented the | sago pulp, they surrounded the trap and en- deavored to reach it with their hands; but jas it was placed right in the center, they failed to reach the tempting bait. | Some of them, in their rage, endeavored jto tear ‘away a stake to get at it; but al- |though the lot of them might have pulled | the whole erection down, they had no sense |of combined action in their brains to attain that object. | At length, after some five or six minutes | had elapsed, one more eager than his fel- | lows, got perched upon the top, then another | followed him; and as they gazed down at |the tempting morsel they tried to reach it from that coign of vantage, but they tried in vain; it was too far off. The two animals perched on the top, much to our amusement, began to quarrel with each other for more space in which to make their attempts; and, one of them, in his |eagerness or desperation, made a dive into | the trap head foremost and secured the bait, | but, alas for him! he also lost his liberty. | The chief warrior, upon seeing the orang- | outang fairly caged, ordered his men to ad- vance again, with their gongs beating. And | this time they drove the animals right back | to the forest, so that they should not witness the further operation of securing the pris- couple of double-barreled fowling pieces and | displeased with our morning’s adventure, | oner—the Malays having some superstitious a moderate supply of ammunition. , After we had paddled up the river some five or six miles beyond the town of Burni, we came to a pretty large creek, which branched off to the left, and as there seemed to be less current in it, we ran our canoe in its direction, and paddled on. We had scarcely gone more than half a mile up the creek before we were astonished to hear behind us (we were both paddling, one at each end of the canoe) a great sput- tering and splashing in the water. ‘‘Look at that, Lindsay !’’ exclaimed Don- ald, as we both cast’our eyes behind to see what was the matter, and discovered that we had disturbed a brood of alligators, who were rushing after us with open jaws, some of them only a couple of yards away. Without of my gun, I let drive both barrels down the capacious jaws of the nearest monster. ‘*We are in for it now!’’ again exclaimed Donald, as I threw my unloaded gun down in the bottom of the canoe and quickly re- | gained my paddle, for the effect of my shot had. only quickened the speed of our pur- suers, without doing the slightest injury to the alligator. ‘‘Give way, Donald; paddle, if you ever paddled!’’ I shouted, as I drove my paddle | into the water with a rapidity I could scarcely have been capable of under less in- teresting circumstances. ‘Ts that beggar you shot at making for us??? asked Donald, without looking round to delay his paddling exertions. ‘Tt could hit him with my paddle,’ I re- plied. ‘‘Stand by to jump out,’’ I added, as the splash of the monster’s flippers threw some water on my back, ‘‘and make for the first tree. Here goes!’’ and as I concluded, I gave the canoe a sheer into the muddy bank; an in much less time than I can write it, Donald and I were out of the canoe, scrambling up the slippery bank in the direction of the nearest tree. We were both well accustomed to tree- climbing, but I don’t think we ever climbed a tree with so much rapidity as we did that morning. After we had succeeded in reach- ing a tolerably safe position among the branches of the tree, some fifteen or twenty feet from the ground, we drew our breath for a minute and surveyed our position. The enraged alligator’ had. reached the base of our tree, and was vainly endeavor- ing to ascend in pursuit; but all its un- gainly attempts ‘were of no avail, on ac- count of the sliminess of the mud on its scaly body. ‘“‘We are properly treed this time, Lind- say,’’ said Donald, as we sat and watched the unsuccessful efforts of the monster to climb after us. ‘Yes, we are up a tree now, and no mis- take about it,’’ I ejaculated, as I wiped the perspiration from my face. ‘‘And how we are to get back to the canoe is a puzzler.’’ ‘‘Oh, the beggar will tire of the game and go back to the water,’’ remarked my com- panion, as the ‘alligator desisted from his upward struggles. ‘‘He is tired out now; look at that,’’ added Donald, as the monster glanced round toward the farther recess of the forest, apparently cogitating how best to make prisoners of us, and cut off retreat in that direction; such at any rate was the thought that possessed my mind as I watched the shifting glances of the monster. Our speculations as to the intentions of our enemy were soon set at rest, for all ina moment our ears were assailed by the screeching and roaring of a host of infuri- ated animals, who came rushing through making any reply to ,Donald, I | threw down my paddle, and having got hold | | because it had paved the way for the fulfill- |ment of one of our principal objects in de- | si ing to hunt over the sultan’s dominions. When we sailed from Singapore, one of | the most urgent requests made to us by the | owner of our yacht was to bring him a live specimen of the orang-outang if at all possi- ble; and now that we had located the where- abouts of these human-looking animals, we | were well-satisfied with our first morning’s work. After breakfast that same morning, we visited the palace, and after making a very valuable present to the grand vizier, we were granted an interview with that im- portant individual, who promised us the assistance of several of his warriors to effect the capture of the animal we so much de- | away to the rendezvous of the vizier’s war- |riors .by four o’clock, accompanied by our carpenter and several of our Malay crew. The carpenter hada couple of sharp axes with him, as requested by the chief warrior, and the Malays had with them a coil of small rope. | Day was just breaking when we arrived |at the place of meeting, which was the en- |trance to the creek up which we had gone on the previous morning. The warriors were there in waiting When we arrived, all armed with heavy cudgels, and several of them carried huge gongs in their hands, warranted to, produce a most loud and discordant noise. As soon as we landed in the forest, the carpenter, under the directions ‘of the warriors, cut down a quantity of branches from the surrounding trees, and fashioned them into stakes; while the rest of us made ourselves good service- able clubs, after the fashion of those carried by the warriors. ‘ When all our implements were ready, we moved off into the forest till we came to a large clearing, about half a mile from the creek; and there we found a large herd of orang-outangs, lying about on the grass, as if they were asleep. When the noise of our approach awoke the orang-outangs, they all sprang upon their hinder feet, and after gazing in our direc- tion for a second, they made a rush at us, yelling at the same time in a most hideous and appalling manner. They had no sooner started in our direc- tion than the warriors set up a still .more hideous noise by the beating of their gongs, which had the effect of bringing the animals to a halt; and as our warriors began to move forward, the orang-outangs turned and fled to the farther end of the clearing. The chief warrior, having posted his men within fifty yards of where we were left standing with the stakes, returned, and, with our assistance, began the work of building the trap. Twenty-four stakes were driven into the ground in the form of a circle, the diameter of which at the base was abous four feet. The top ends of the stakes were then drawn together, also in circular form, till their diameter was about fifteen inches. The whole erection was then securely interlaced and tied together with rope; after which, an inyerted machine of conical form, made of sharp-pointed bamboos, was inserted with the points downward, the base of this ma- chine being secured to the top end of the stakes, the downward sharp-pointed ends being, close together, but capable of being opened by the least pressure, and then springing back to their close position. After the trap was all ready, the chief warrior put a large sago pulp into the trap, | leaning toward the orang-outangs, as they | have to the alligators. ‘‘We have got him right enough,’’ said | Donald t@ me, as we approached the trap; | **but how are we to secure him, for he does look a rather ferocious specimen to handle?’’ | ‘*I shouldn’t like to have a wrestle with jhim,’’ I exclaimed, as the animal leaped | about in his cage, and showed his tusk-like teeth, while the head warrior: was discussing .with one of his men the best means of secur- ing him. “There wouldn’t be much wrestling about it, I’m thinking,’’ remarked Donald; ‘‘one embrace, and then he would rend his victim in pieces in no time.’’ After the warrior and his friend had con- cluded their. consultation, they approached Donald and me and explained two methods whereby our captive could be secured. The first was to chain him to a tree and leave him to be starved out, which would drive the herd away from that forest alto- gether; and the other method was to smoke him at once into insensibility, and take him away with us—the last method requiring a backsheesh of a dollar a man to the war- riors for their superior knowledge of the surroundings. As neither Donald nor I could secure the animal, I promised the required dollars as soon as the animal was caged and on board; and the bargain was struck on the spot, with the promise that the grand vizier should not be made acquainted with their divulgement of the vegetable secret. The two warriors then went some distance into the wood, and after a few minutes’ ab- sence, they returned with a large armful apiece, of dried-looking leaves, which very much resembled tobacco leaf in its virgin state. In a few minutes they had ‘the cage sur- rounded with the leaves, after which they set fire to it, and the wild man of the woods was hidden from our view by a dense volume of suffocating smoke. Some wild and piteous howling came from the orang at first, but he was not many minutes in succumbing to his somewhat dis- agreeably enforced drowsiness. After the warriors considered the animal was suffi- ciently insensible and harmless, the stakes were quickly pulled out of the ground, and the trap entirely, demolished. The animal was then tied hands and feet, and his mouth securely gagged. A litter was made, on which he was placed, to be carried down to the warriors’ large gobang. As soon as the orang-outang was placed in the gobang, and we were in readiness to de- part, the chief warrior gave a loud call to his men in the forest, and they returned to the creek, with their faces all the time to the advancing orang-outangs, who followed them down to the very edge of the water, although they were so afraid of the noise of the gongs that they dared not attack the warriors during their retreat. We had a large sheep pen on board the yacht, which made a very nice habitation for the captive, and as soon as he was placed within it, the Warriors were paid for their assistance in a handsome manner. Jacko, as we named the orang-outang, was safely delivered by me to the owner at Singapore, and the wild man of the woods eventually found a home in the zoological gardens. ——_—_~. Wylie (talking over college days)—‘‘And whatever became of Duller, the only fellow in the class who was always at the foot?’’ De Biggs—‘‘Professional chiropodist the last I heard.* ‘ t 4078 GroOD N THE DOWN EXPRESS | ’m very anxious to be in the tunnel when | hi r | that passes.’ | pr e And he began to make his:way down the | at BY W. L. SUMMERS. | Steps. | ste s ‘“Wait a moment,’’ he exclaimed, as he | eff f reached the tracks. AHAT blessed wind must have changed | ing through the tunnel. It must y2 round to the east again; I thought I | express—and. jolly late it is, too.”’ felt it in my bones. Confound it! An In a few moments the train thundered by, <7 east wind always does make my chim |and the boys at once entered the tunnel. | Tl But before they had gone more than a few | be the up | ru | of ney smoke!’ Tom Simpson, the signalman at Brent | yards they were startled by hearing a loud Station, testily threw open the door to let noise behind them that sounded above the fa ‘*T can hear a train com- | pulled over the lever. ° e | distinctly borne to the ears of the engineer, | be jand although the signals vere now in his | The constitution provides tt Hw Ss. joining a nice present. Ladies and fi », Join this merry band at once ¢ ress all commut ustin street, Pax be h ess had been slowing down and was now a stand-still. The noise of the escaping | am nerved the signalman to a supreme fort. He shook off his antagonists and |} As he did so, Bertie | shed to the open window, and, in a frenzy excitement, cried out: ‘*As you value your lives, don’t go on! 1e nalman is mad!’’ On the still evening air the words were 1 A mself into the fray. Meanwhile, the ex- | | | | > prospe est to all stamp collector and would like to send ) ested it wouldn’t be a bad idea to inclo: you write. It is the purpose of the from time to time, lessons upon electricity sh a paper. All J puzzlit lly answered from the of ut the offices of pers 1 one, but aref jenn secretary shall be filled by one 7or > hesitated al going on. i vor, he hesitated about going & capable electrician and who shall out the smoke that was threatening to choke | vanishing clatter of the express. him. He gave a discontented glance up and fee “What on earth is that?”? cried Bertie. “Jump down, 3ill,”? said he to his fire- business relating to the soci Furt down the tracks, and then returned to his | ‘‘It sounded like an explosion——’’ | man, ‘‘and see what’s going on up there.’’ Will be found in the prospectus, or will duties, as the sharp ‘‘ting-ting’’ of the tele- But Dick was already on his way back to The fireman ran up the cabin steps, and | genet by C.E. Vallance, 507 Marion s ’ ¥ | Dart, dna, graphic instrument warned him that a mes-| the mouth of the tunnel. sage was about to be transmitted to him. and suddenly collided with his friend. | But the worthy signalmar rheumatic ‘*What’s up?’’ he exclaimed. ‘‘It’s become:| bones had misled him. There was very little | very dark all at once.’? fo wind in the deep cutting, and the slight There was a ring of alarm in Dick’s voice breeze that was blowing was from the north- | as he answered Bertie’s question. as west, as Tom might have discovered had he} ‘‘The tunnel has fallen in, Bertie! I’ve | a given a more careful look around. | just stumbled over a heap of bricks and | of the danger.’’ It was not the wind that had caused the | rubbish, and I am afraid we are blocked up!”? | signal-box to suddenly fill with the smoke For a moment Then his usual coolness re- | px that so obstinately refused to ascend the | céase beating. chimney. The responsibility for the uncom- | turned. fortable condition of Tom Simpson’s cabin! ‘That need not scare us, old man; we | dt lay with two boys who had stealthily clam- | can get out-at the other end, even if we are | bi bered down the steep side of the cutting | blocked up here. But I think you’re mis- | look to it, if that’s been their game, for, as| pureh, Pa. ‘ani until they stood on the top of the wall taken, for I can still see out of the tunnel.’ | Tom says, the expr is not to be delayed | lady and gentlemen members against which Tom’s cabin was built. They He was right. There had been a_ heavy | for their monkey tricks.’’ United States. We intend publishing . $ ‘ | Paper as soon as we have sufficient memt had cut up with their knives a large sod of | landslip on the cutting, and a large mass of | turf, which they placed over the chimney, | earth had fallen, breaking down the wall| D so as to exclude any crevice through which | and completely blocking up the down track; | he the smoke from the fire beneath might es-| but the up track was less impeded, and the cape. | boys bad little difficulty in escaping from | ex The signalman would probably have re- | confinement. lw mained in ignorance of the true cause of his With nerves shaken and awed at the smoky chimney had not Dick Collins discov- | danger they had so narrowly escaped, they | his mind. ered that some of the smoke was escaping | gazed in stupefaction at the ruin before through its ordinary outlet. While attempt- | them. The heavy rains had undermined the | w ing to rectify this, the boy let a large por- | steep embankment, and the reverberation of | x tion of the sod fall down the chimney, and |the fast train had completed the work of ls] as soon as the signalman saw this unexpected | devastation. g arrival in the midst of his fire, he guessed} ‘What fools we are!’’ Bertie suddenly ex- | 'T’ that the wind was not to' blame, He ran| claimed. ‘*We are wasting our time instead | expressing could | of going to the signal-box. We have had a|rendered them by the boys’ presence outside again, and before the bo} draw back, caught a glimpse of their heads | wonderful escape, but there is still an awful | n immediately above him. risk of the express coming along at any ‘Pll wring your necks, you young ras- | minute and running into this.’’ |p cals!’’ he exclaimed, in hot anger. | He ran to the farther side of the tracks, and | ‘+ ‘*I?ve no doubt you will when you catch | found that the signal wires were untouched. | tl us,’?’ replied Dick, in no wise perturbed by| ‘‘They would have been twisted and | fe the signalman’s threat, ‘‘But give up| broken,’ he said, ‘‘if the landslip had been | w making foolish promises that you ‘know | on this side. As it is, no one will know that| a can’t be carried out. How are you going to | anything is wrong until too late, unless we catch us, my respected manipulator of sig- | can reach the. box in time to stop the down nals? Have you wings? Or are you a cat, | expres It must be due in a few minutes.’’ that you think nothing of clambering up aj} He started off to run, but tripped over perpendicular wall more than ten feet in| the branches of a tree that had been carried | height?’’ i The signalman was silent. He was com-)a moment, but found that he had badly pelled to admit the force of the boy’s gibes, | bruised his knee. and he was too angry to waste any more} ‘‘Run, Dick!’ he cried. ‘‘Tell the signal- words. Turning back, he slowly de the narrow gangway leading from his cabin | you may be in time to‘warn him!’’ to the tracks. He disappeared for a moment, |" His companion needed no further spur, | " and then ran up the steps again with start-|and sped away into the darkness, while | h ling agility, burdened as he was by a short | Bertie toiled painfully after him. lt ladder, which he balanced in one hand. | As Dick rounded the curve and came in | ¢ The boys had not been prepared for this | sight. of the signal-box, he heard the shrill | ‘ emergency. Startled out of their feeling 6f | whistle of the express, now about to pass security, they prepared for flight. But the| through Brent Station. At this sound enraged signalman had planted the ladder} he summoned all his remaining strength, firmly against the wall and had mounted|and, reaching the cabin, sprang up half-way before the boys had recovered | steps. As he flung open the door, the sig- from their surprise. { e must run for it. He won’t be gentle if he | hundred yards distant. At the boy’s sudden lays hands on us.’’ entrance he looked up, still holding the | 1 But as their pursuer was stepping off the | lever. of membership. all kinds of stories—as soon as you join, and andl) ladder on .to the wall, another ‘‘ting-ting’’| ‘Stop the express! Stop the express!’’ | The Goop News Electric and Philatelic Society is a | as soon as you read and return the one we sent al" se warned him that he must attend to his | the boy earnestly exclaimed new club organized with novel and praiseworthy aims. | and so on as long as you remain a member. W © pel i Pec ‘ tead notice below. send you our club paper as long as you are a mere sik duties in the box. The boys heard the sound, ; And so impressed by his fervor was the sig- and instantly realized that they were saved. ‘ az r ~ of als.” yi ick yaw : 4 ‘Get back to your signals, Or ied Dick, | lever. i 4 writes that she belongs to sixteen Goop News clubs. ‘‘or we'll have to report you for leaving the| This action was quickly followed by a| Who can equal this? Look! Are you looking for reading! ; box and neglecting your work.”’ shrill seream of protest from the rapidly ap- | Mr. Charlie Koch, of Golden, Col., has been elected Fe Ne een Bxcelalor, CO aa e : : * : | . ‘4 hoprthta Hive! frie y Sitath Py, ng . 1G C « fon, J aaa, WW give sve - y ‘Stow it, Dick,’’ said his companion. ‘*I | proaching express. At the same moment | rept sentative for, the Stage. of -C olorado Of th GOOD a nc this Wack Addectoten itis persons sendiDe il i r > fs Fa * ° . * si I ‘Tes! ding ¢ f tic ( ater z ee a + a i] 23 See think we’ve riled him enough for one day. | Tom Simpson recognized the boy at whose | N"\" st wichine to join said club in thet Statecktd rest number of members before April Si wet We’re rather lucky to have escaped from | bidding he was about to delay an important | write to him. . receive one year’s subscription to the GooP (4 nel! him, and we had better trot.’’ | train —-—— second, six months’ subscyiption. Join now 2% opt ) 1 so ints OLUB NOTICES the contest, which begins immediately. Reps 0 | 4UB NOTICES, tives wanted from all over. Officers wanted ® due This was evidently good advice, and the} ‘‘Yousyoung limb of Satan!’’ he furiously two boys started off without further delay, | exclaimed. ‘‘At your tricks again! You and returned as they had come, leaving the | had better clear out quickly, for if you are ( 4 a " ‘ | : 312° 3 5 OSS@SS ° iq “4 b. "ess. as ass ) + * * . pics ty undisputed re er : | here when the GR RISRS has Dp assed, I'll give overcome any obstacle that is placed in our way it will The Goop News Free Reading. Club. %, j aving placed a safe distance between | you something to cure you of .your love for | not be for lack of labor. To each one joining we will | Charles, La., offers to éach and every member Sadie themselves and the box, the two boys | fooling.’’ give 1 good story paper or novel, 6 foreign stamps, | jars’ worth of reading matter, works by the 1 ine stopped to take breath and to consider what | And he was about to pull down the signal SO set € ihe following offer To eet authors of the day, provided the member pages isehi . j . tal ny noah: in vane car s ‘ " ht ye will also make the 1olowing Otter: © e frst one | club an initiation fee of 20 cents, and monly wea ma18¢ hief they might next undertake. lhe again in answer to the continued whistle | joining after the publication of this notice we will give | 5 cents each in advance, a total of 30 cents, we é cold winter afternoon was fast coming to its | from the train. Dick realized the danger to a fine cloth-bound book; to the tenth a set of good ten- | reliable. Every member receives a corti Oy end and darkness approaching; but they | which the passengers in the express would be | pins, 10 inches high; to the twenty-fifth a fine book, | membership, the constitution of the club, ae wey still had an hour or two before they need | exposed, unless he could persuade this man a io. ad ‘ Been 4 grand Prive weckigy containing lars’ worth of reading matter. To ove eading Ph . lene sk eats ari ons ooks, papers, curiosities, ete, Join at once and you | per we will give twelve dollars’ worth of re@@’ mol return home. 1 : } that he was telling the truth. Now, indeed, may be the lucky one. Initiation fee 10 cents; no dues; | ter free, Ror further particulars address ele Bet you don’t walk through the tunnel | he bitterly regretted the mischievous trick |Jadies, foreigners and secretaries of other clubs are | president, Lake Charles, La. cit to the other end,’’ suggested Dick. that they had played upon the signalman, | Co!dially invited to join us free of charge. We are ; ; Sat -of GOOD pe 5 88 A . 7 Be. I noe a going to start a new department in the shape of an ex- We are here to stay, Bvery nee of of south ae | ‘Will you?’’ Bertie asked, curtly. | the remembrance of which naturally made “Tl go if you will.’ him suspicious and unwilling tio be again Without further consideration the boys | deceived. started on their dangerous task. To reach | There was no time for argument. the mouth of the tunnel they must scramble | With the strength of despair, Dick flung along the steep face of the cutting until | himself upon Simpson, and, so sudden was they arrived at some steps “in the wall by | his onset, both fell prostrate on the floor. which they would be able to reach the | Now ensued a struggle that would have tracks without difficulty. But their path | been almost ludicrous but for the stake at along the embankment was by no means] issue. Within the narrow cabin the man and easy, for the incessant rain of the past fort- | boy furiously wrestled together, while, out- night had rendered the clay soil very | side, the express continued to emit its indig- treacherous, and the boys slipped and stum- | nant protests. bled frequently as they slowly journeyed But the combatants were too ill-matched on. for the strife to last long, and the signal- ‘*We haven’t much time, Dick,’’ cried | man rose to his feet and endeavored to grasp Bertie, ‘‘if we mean to get through before ' the lever. Before he could shake his oppo- the down express comes by, and I can’t say nent off, however, Bertie entered and threw Bertie followed, | was quickly followed by the conductor og the train. Then ensued an excited discussion. Bertie’s heart seemed to/|torted Simpson. ‘‘It’s no joke to stop an ex- | gratitude that would be expre D | down by the landslip. He was ip again in | G ’ m4) en OOD cended | man to stop the express, and Heaven grant | News Clubs only. No notices will be inserted | the | South Denver, Col. Goop Nrwsclubs are * this week. * nalman was just pulling over the heavy Kathe ‘Quick, old man!’’ cried Bertie; ‘‘we|lever that would put down the signal, a| jp this issue. its members all the novels the nalman that he obediently pushed back the sponding Club of Gallipolis me Do you want to join a good club? Of cou ‘““These youngsters have been trying to | pone, tke Goop News Correspond ol me,’’ explained the angry signalman. | raisers. The first one joining will ré ‘*There’s a landslip at the tunnel,’’ Bertie | +, or five 5c. novels, the thir serted, ‘‘and this man persisted in putting ywn the signal, although we warned him rd and 1 progr } are young but we need y | ance in making our club the sstin the § 66 . } ; gs Sa Se a hustle on, and be in fashion by joining cic j ant 5 8 age 3- ‘ eit yd S: [didn’t want to be done Rens os | be very much obliged if the publishers of ¢ | . would send us copies of the publicat | no dues, or those who want to ma I ress without good reasons.”’ J i ‘‘We had better go and see,’’ the con- | and receive two 5 R * ( ae ita. Addre: ictor said; ‘‘and we’ll look after these | josie avenue. Pittsburch. P fy ; ; B negie avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa. ys in case they’re fooling us. But let them | he Goop NuwsAmat » has just been or Dick looked in astonishment at Bertie. | pant it: uring his race to the cabin, his busy brain | tion les or stories on any sub; ud conjured up vivid pictures of the lively | to write upon, and, from the practice and } ve ic | acquired by w od if his ‘pagrsoas " m in time become famous and succes ‘rand were successful. That the, people | journalists. We also intend to offer hands hom they had saved from terrible peril | for the best contributions, ‘ in fi 10uld be so ungrateful had never entered | can for thebenefit of ambitious | further particulars send three Ic. ci ‘ ‘, tary, R. G. Pemberton, 160 Industry street, Fortunately for the boys, their story, as| pa:’ e know, was perfectly true; and, when the 1ilroad officials had investigated the land- | cago, Ill. Whether you are a ip, their suspicions gave way to feelings of | ©lU> or not it will pay you to join this . % < | son over ten years of age may become reat thankfulness for their preservation. | me admission fee is 10 cx ) srs, too, were not behindhand in | except Canadians, admitted free. In or heir recognition of the service of week s to he passeng admit them for 5 cents in stamps. 1ind. hie f : membe 25 different for ‘* “All's well that ends well,’ ’’ said Dick, | amateur and philatelic paper ilosophically, as they returned home. ; hilos I hica ys ri y cards are now ready and will be sent to ol We’ve ‘saved some lives to-day; but, all} upon receipt of a2c. stamp. Address Benj. A. Wilson, 18 same, there was a moment when I | 27 Fay street. sared that our little escapade at the cabin} Boys! Goop News Musical Club is r yas going to hinder us from preventing an|swim. We have just received a numt wful aeccident.’’ lady members, So if you want a nice spondent, who will wr “up-to-date” lette lee ee GE One better join at once. Say, do you read? library of 200 volumes that you can ré¢ A IMOIN G charge if you join our lit you 1 £0 the postage. Or have you anything to exchange? give exchange notices free to our members. Init fe addresses | fee, GLUBS | list of members, a large bundle of reading matter. and { “ | Push three months free of charge. Dues tc koe 10 cents. This includes correspondent 1, ; } | 20 cents per quarter. Dues to exchange > Towa. “We know what you are looking for.’ xcepting such ¢ are genuine GOOD NEWS Club | ‘For a good clut join, So as to pass awe Otices, and nothing in the shape of an advertise. | time pleasantl lent will be allowed. Every, club notice should | sponding and ave the names of the president and secretary. of | he club attached. For information concerning | toj 100D NEWS Olub Badge and Electrotypes see ad- | 5 ertisenient on last page. | (SPECIAL NOTICE.—This column is for Goop its. We have members ¢ ce Y tests, large printed lists, neat membershi This week we offer as an inducement 12 forei CLUB CHAT. that if you bought would cost 10 cents. club offers this and foreigners free. Address E Conn, Do you like to read novels, ete. well to join the Goop News And yet another—the Goop News Social Club of : ates : Bene ‘booming’ S. Benec Another new club—the Goop Nrws Amateur t can reac Union Corresponding Club of we do this is to send you al The Goop NEV NEws Social and Corre- Ohio. The secreta Still another—the Goop Y | lanta, Ga. Join the Goon News Reading and Correspondi orary members. Initiation fee, 10 cen ‘lub of Clinton, Mo. Our motto is, “Omnia Vineit | Ladies and foreigners free. Address A. Labor—Labor overcomes all things,” and if we do not | Box 1018. Wm. R. Ashpole, president. Social Clu w should join the Goop Nx change bureau, Any one sending us books papers or ge any kind of reading matter, with stamps to pay return | Ver, Col. First member from eac h State? ent and is made. our representativé stage, Will receive by the next mail any kind of read- 1 r 7 ane ing matter to the me value. Address all communi- cations to C. D. Wallace, P. O. box 376, Clinton, Mo. tify that the Goon Nrws re Every fifth member gets a present, es . list of Members and the club paper free tamp Col- | cameras, typewriters, printing presse’ This is to ce lecting and Exchange Club of Pa x is one of | hers want to exchange. Initiation , t. nahh the best stamp organizations in existenc It offers | free, No dues. .. Allen, presidep ‘er Ce af better inducements than any other stamp club, taking | 7, [,, 3riges, sec Box 24, South Den¥ 108 Ne in consideration the small fees we charge. It is built Ss . ; arte Correspomt nd Og on an honest business foundation, and constructed for Why not join the Goop Nuws In doing info ol the benefit of stamp collectors who wish to enlarge change Club of Duluth, Minn. A gall wh it their collection of valuable stamps at a very sthall | "sponding with the members ye ndwritilice 0h cost; also for boys and girls who wish y ond, folnine ickuies ee ye nese noe we igh ee ng “O ¢ : onnet ess . Pe ‘ ig be sure to send in your @) eT tote? fo! both for pleasure and improvement so for boys and can ‘appear in ont next list): 10 all joi mt f prey girls who have books, stamps, novels, papers, etc., to ee : wee exchange for other articles. Don’t delay a moment, | 8°24 Certificate of membership, ic but send us 10 cents for initiation fee, and 5 cents for | Stamps, etc. Address all commer carne first month’s dues, and we will then send you in return | ent and secretary, Wm. flath, Minn a package of stamps, some very rare; club badge, | Seventeenth avenue, Hast Duluth” ot membership list, ete, We wish a few more lady mem- Join the Goop News Union CorresP bers, and in order to get them we will give each lady Braddock, Pa,, and receive membe 5c novels, which must be return members are issued quarterly. Our new me¢ ber gets a good novel, a membership ©# tC+y 3 = 8; etc nt ‘are 10 é ners admitted py € to EK. M. Holland; 700 West socie teur und students of elect i} ciety to isst 1 the members will ce of the society PD 0 rse ce and Noy ange Club of Pittsburgh, Pa. Listen to th i ve a 50c, 1 1 thr all receive umm our as te, We lub ons. Fee 10 cents; a all correspondence to J. J. Skeehan, 5126 Car- 1ccess. Members can contribute for publ I t they may ch ex} am more young ladies to join, we will for the next For stoall joining. I 1m ight yer of new little YS, Y We ad ner » libr ley ) 10 cents per month. C. J. McKinley, secretary, Anil@ , V, the club to join for fun and improvement. Get a frien" join with you and we will admit you for half prices ull over the country tha desire to ¢orrespond with you. We haye priz p ¢ W Initiation fee only 10 cent t, lic Fp jo If so you wilt e ’ Club of Pittsburgh, Pa. Its first notice appears N ar Reading and z Be PE change Club. This old reliable Goop News club 5 Le 3 » i fferen > fogs e bundle of diffen a, sraddock, Pa., has issued a new and very pretty card kinds of novels—detective stories, sea stories, in This week we will reduce the fee to one dime pre At lc. stamps. W. E. Taliaferro, secretary, south 5; no Og "ul eve urd, ; two trie ‘pehul ations "5 Hy ain Ha you do, “what?” your idle ‘ 1e Goop News. Liberty Cor 9 &% ge Club of Wilton, Conn., is J? g i Fate S , Boge 1 1, also © ne? nat aie . Ad- ty, or , has inter ricity, inter when in the upon wo papers month | sri Mitte ident; Join the Goop News Universal Stamp Club of Chi- 1ember of any other is one. Any per- ember its; no dues. All foreigr especially invited to join. Membership card, list ot rn stamps and a bundle of Asts of eI in the Corea rou had have & > Of are tment, end.» e con" jadies Wiltom ends ‘he Wa — - . poke ot Sik pees pales : nos y en, » jal a Only 19 0 cents to the se, Street, P ‘Orr y If Trespon ig OU Join SS the sty) 2°: Go. jalon deer Wining. : eB. AL c tion, * Be for ¢ c ®OSWereq 4079 f 1Ck lets. FOSTE Memory and Observation. “You musn’t give the dog s« ce him vicious.” “HOW: do yon know ? . hovel se nt to him. nd Athletic Club of W | stan not in his colle i I’ve note e a that | meat for her lunch.’ ; and, besides, always brings Johnny’s Ambition. y—‘‘I’m goin’ to bea good boy, so I’ll be real religious when I grow up.” ‘Aut letters an Perea our ¢ ane is bound to but 10 cents, and the dues are are >| elas sSes, 2 pain own treasure! & iuinister ?” want to play the Would you ae sig drum in thé Salivation / oux a self ant pene A Wise Precaution. furniture store)—‘‘Phew! of our members and ing matter to suit the minds ‘and fe Lady (in gime rac k aad Oo ir Nei ig Pibors. n a jar three parts ‘That's 8 to keep the furni- vik in Molen, | will exe’ MEBBS novels sand paper vs for ture from falling Little Brother in Misery. 1 ought to join the Goop Club of Gallipolis, arted out, but we follow | stamps. 21 and 20f Good NE r and Corre vacua ; little brother stless and uicomfortable?” ‘s ’cause his hands is — Joe Grumme, 909 Fifth street, y., has 50 rare forefgn post ws from. 186 up to date, ¢ climb to the top round BY i a eanaids coed : Florida Winter Sports. yourself down in dition, and bound | id pins to exchange | bian postage stamps. Will exc hang e sing Ad Selene secretary, , twe nity “drops of essence of ber wasn’t much had lots o’ fun | peltin’ each other with frozen oranges.” on Raps xchange i A bran new | hindred dollars. Family Treasures. Little Miss Hubb—‘‘If you come to see me, and show you our ) Conte fede re ate Ste ups. ri take you to. Cambridge, Un hite: a St ites. st um ps. 3’ papers aa other read- ing to pubtish a club pay 3 entriloquial figures, bool Initie | ing matter to exc Rasias for rF ittle Miss Gotham—“Thz ut will be nice. And as the Duke of Beaufort | if you visit me, I'll take you to a cemeter y, and show you the grave of the janitor of the first e description of figures and instruments, ar ye name of author of book. dues 10 cents mannii a! the pre aa nt or secretary. in brother of Louis 7 Nia know what to do,” | flat we ever lived in.” no at to do, People when told to do something. SAYS ¢ a good many cs a oe | street, Bi York, has a se croll saw ut the mysterious Prisoner was Pussy Appreciated. ia, with saws ¢ pe ‘patte rns, book—“‘Elements of Phys “Tom Brown’s Schooldays,’’ si Collector join the Webfoot Goon Nr WS O ‘orn ae ‘ollectors’ C. Club of none 0 the r than the statesme vn Fouc aut my little dear. girl youare! Tell me 1 of that cat.” *Cause when she purrs I know sount sheets, to exchange for ¢ NEws, foreign stamps, or any useful article. Street, Portland, Ore, , South Minneapolis, In Some Quarters. you know what is the > present scarcity of money ?" —‘Ther Lexow Com- Teacher—"Do any of | printing press, or anything of value. STAMPS.—Edmund B. New Foote ae che us 600 Nee, os 20. 2. eu it the gold with the g Tact it with the water, ¢ i i Boil 8 oz. of logwood Boy (gou of a politician) artme mt ne xt wee ts Rot now and you will have | Depot Better than a Mastiff. -“*Pop gave my big sister this dog to keep the men away. P le ayinate—“W ot’s the good o’ that little bit the stamp department free foreigners’ and se oC dlumbian ste es “5 ter til 1 reduced to 14% Boy (with minute canine) of other elabs admitted f Ralph w. Murphy, 3 Ric’ hard Court, , Girls and boys, come for you to join the ( tO0OD Nis Ws St ars and Sivies Ss ry, | sti amps Acie It aly 4 , to exchange for Vol. 7 MISCELLANEOUS.— Robert sister kissing it, responding and E. xcha age C ees Roc he: aster, t, Middletow n, N. = i ili cricee A BOLD CHALLENGE. of our chit paper every. two wee KS, change for magic sanitary slide 8, Pasture 8, ete Ks Yv | in good condition. ‘Allen ©. Hatch, 211 i | r GL HeBAtD anoloelaes | we are always gle ‘lad to hear ‘from our reé Bae rs. turning lathe, with (oot } i te etters to the o a screw-cutting iron in France en- gaged in a dimdake,, and finally, after’ be- Poeun some ugly names upon “each other, aly 6 cents to join the Goon News Star Exchange | power ¢ tools, all complete for- | | exe che ange for i “Dan the Peter tive,’ by Alger; _Metabership ror ye ” ‘lis; ‘“Teddy’s Venture,” or a package of PRINTING PRI The next morning a Dublin lawyer, whom the pair had met at the table d’hote, called 3 a pre mium for johaing: a _optilation of Bout of ‘type and. farnttaes to exc nATGeR for a. or best offer in sporting goods. ng ie amie Reger ae sir?’’ he asked. startled traveler. ‘‘I It may be proper over it isn’t in my country. Why do SD eh Reading Club of ‘Would you fight a duel, Yeat membership card and list to all ae ADING MATTER. _Y. papers to exc! hi ange for ¢ one or Bead: | papers; 25 foreign stamps | . George Re ithborn Address the secretary, J. : with thirteen star: Your handwriting is ex¢ or { ; i libraries wee same. ( :00D N iE Ws, ETC neY ou? re certain you wouldn’t fight?’’ re- | write with a pencil? Thank you for your 2s turned the lawyer, doggedly. ey rls, all to exc aha ange for othe rs of same ind or seed | Muckte head, Chicago, JEPAR™ PMENT. retorted the other; Be tANce 5 “tT said no before.’? 3. We cannot answer said the man from Dublin, from “his pocket; ‘‘I am this, but I wasn’t it until I ee ascertained posi- , Texas, has 100 boys’ papers, 50 foreign | i 3,10 old coins and 10 is free to all our readers. or transactions, brough t My not ane Feopotinline Uthrongh notices in this column. y exe) hé ange offe rs. good novels to exchange for tiv ely that you wouldn’t fight. ange rous or orthie $s ar patest base- rea layer It’s a chal- to a duel to the death,”’ mae not appe 23 in a reasonable time, were not accepted. ications for this column to ent.”) claret due, in good Condition, nd ‘av oid uivitstete , -ball story when the season open 4 1 | We do not think any contre acts have as ye theanslg ned, JUST IN TLME. | Book containing near Chippewa | for Vols. 1, 500 pages, value $2, to rere 2 or 3 of Goop News. Two Irishmen from the north of Ireland | ters 48 “Sword 1 and Pen” re lock box | took pli uwce exactly “as he sac Oth bo iia hook r from pe rsons hi aving | fetithds, but the battles United States stamps to ex- All 36 tters and postals answered. off to go to England for rs the harvest. | On rez vching Dublin they found they had not es in fine C ondition to exchange for Vols. ag Mason Me Le! an, 161 La Salle IPs Goo News or best offer in Columbian stamps above suffic ient money to pay ‘their passage acrc F pe art with Good N& 3S. there is a trust fund in Dublin which provides a reward of two sovereigns to any 1. We have been trying to ‘nting nreas, x! | t pinting press, 2x3, to snot yet succeeded in ra se lf-inking printing press, chase not less Books and papers for same, U.S. van ps or what have you? one resc uing a person £, violin ‘and how, good 2 as new, The thie part silver piece, with star in cen- drowning, and one sov ereign for the recovery of a body It that Pat ae fall ints fae quay, and Mike should jump in and rescue him and claim the two sovereigns. After rising, he oli a second tise aon then again rose to D There is no premium ase ean eribe when writing, or send sheets, on\the other coins mentioned. aaeas F Your friend is right. and foreit gn stamps to exchange and correspondence meee Sfood U. Bo i Also philatelic paper nak” RS.—Arthur H. if » has two volumes of boy: s’ papers in 6. coins or © piianh an 3 A Th Arvest of Wild Oats,” S. 7 Cross street, SrA sMnbi J., would like to hear from | parties having Goop N ‘i . 1 to 109 inclusive to exchange fi ; but Mike hesitated to part of ‘the bargain. Pat seeing this, shouted: “*Come on, Mike; you’ll only get a poviiclare: All | | like “The ‘Kine x so Thue » for c , 2 . s othe r re ading - matte r. We certainly know peice understand your 0 KnO' ; fc Bove of about 4 ft. 6 in, in magic lantern with twelve street, New York cit ] sli . libraries and 100 foreign Ass oni ety, has ¢ :rnedils al coil ‘and battery York city.—-There are s sarry out his sharp, Mike, or ? SSS ee THE MILLER AND THE PAINTER. 1 Cc ibs in cei ¥ ork. >is room fo: another. . He is a combination ' But why not start one your- eo ‘ist of other citi’ to e ir le 2ase give description of instru- | V ine street, Philadelphie a journals and magazines to exc whe unge for ee a open aR 5c., except ¢ olurnbian, wante: ed. 3 over 1, 000 phil atelic A miller at Lynn, who lately quitted his mill to keep a tavern, went to a painter to paint him a sign, on which he would have a I a, | y es, occasionally. &. novels, thise poe for printing press, musical goods or for hous or anything | expli¢ itly ‘wha t you hie “All letters answered. “‘T must have the miller looking out of the shat us volumes of fv e differe nt hor 3 8, who will answer in ‘ ould like to exchange a Ce J, §. stamps and 1,600 foreign stamps, ¢ iff “But, ” replied the miller, ‘‘as I never was seen to be idle, you must make him pop at him.” This was promised, and in due time the gn was finished and brought home. said mine host; ‘‘but , for a Columbia bic: MISCELLANEOUS.- yele in good condition. Try a dilution of sulphorous * writing is wonderfully clear ¢ in his head if any one looks mS va would like to hear Sah 50 Uy 10 have st amps on Abs sited States mixed stamps for ever Sent him, two picture cards for eve 800d condition, two novels for eve ‘from stamp dealers u sheets to exchange. | post-marks, ink and miscellaneous receipts, ball, bat, ! ; L i > rock eurios, 1 vol. papers, , 100 jokes, picture cards, brownies and 4 bottles different colored ink and many other things to } | exchange for a printing press between 7x9}; ¢ or above and entire outfit. “Tt ig well done,’ where is the miller?’’ ‘‘Oh,’’ replied the painter, his head when you looked.’ 1 S.—There is no premium on the dime of 1839, nor on the half dollar of 1830. { Several communications left over to be answered next era or printing press to exc Correspondence solicited. ‘*he popped in | time being. Tee CHAPTER IV. CHUCK GROWS POETIC. AY, I near had a fit, but I knew it’d give the whole racket away if [| laughed, so I pretended to moan bit- terly over the prostrate figger of my ard. ‘Alas! alas! Can this be the end—the tragic end? Is it possible one I have loved and cherished as a brother is about to be snatched to the great beyonder?”’ My grief was truly touchin’, but it didn’t go for a cent with Deacon Horn. ‘‘This whole business is a put-up job of you two boys,’’ he declared; ‘‘and you both oughter be trounced for it. I think I’ll be- gin with Chuck right now.”’ You’d oughter seen my pard hump himself then. He recovered from his well nigh fatal injuries so sudden that he was out of the room before his pa could touch him. 1 follered. ‘¢ Are we pursued by yon base minions?’’ hissed Chuck, as he clutched me in the dark- ness of the hall. ‘*We don’t seem to be,’’ said I. ‘*Then we'll rest on our arms—or some other part of our persons—till the awesome cloud of war has passed over. When things gits to runnin’ smooth we’ll sneak back and see if we can’t kick up another breeze.’’ So we went up to his room an’ laid our heads together an’ ‘plotted. The room was right over the dinin’-room, and we hadn’t been up there more’n half an hour when we begun to hear sounds down below. Then Chuck opened the square ventilator, or heater, or whatever you call it, in the floor and looked down. “Great gingerbread!’’ he gurgled. ‘I guess the weddin’s over, an’ they’re getting some kind of a supper on to the table. We’ve absented ourselves from those scenes of festivity fur too long already, Chip. We’ll have to godown and get into the swim.’’ Down we went. We took care to keep away from the deacon, who was in the parlor entertainin’ his visitors. The marriage had really culmernated, and some of the ladies was helpin’ the blushin’ bride hustle the grub on to the table in the dinin’-room. ; That was the room we sailed for. Chuck charged for the new Mrs. Horn, and grabbed her in his arms, crying, brokenly : ‘*Oh, how happy Iam! And you are to be my real step-mother-in-law all the time oe this! Aren’t it just perfectly delight- ad 17? Then he kissed her on the end of the nose. The bride giggled and blushed, and some of the other wonen cried, ‘‘How touchin’!’’ and then we knew we was all right for the Chuck was awful anxious to make himself useful, and he volunteered to show the bride where everything was around the kitchen and help get the food on the table. I knew he was up to something, so I kept round in his vicinity till we were both alone in the pantry. ‘«Tt’s our duty to improve each fleetin’ moment,’’ said my pard, as he lifted the upper curst of two pies and emptied the contents of the cayenne pepper box into them. ‘‘My solicitude is certun to arouse a warm feeling in the bosoms of the guests. Please pour this salt into the milk. I am certain it is rather fresh. This lobster salad needs a liberal supply of sugar, so here goes. Now here isa rice pudding with plums in it, but I think the plums are far too few.’’ Then he proceeded to add a handful of pebbles to the pudding, stirring them in carefully with a big spoon. “After this was attended to, he emptied the box of black pepper and filled it with fine scouring sand. “How my heart leaps and bounds like a little lamblet at play!’’ he chirped, as he hustled out with the pies and placed them on the table. ‘‘I am nearly overcome with the joy of the occasion.’’ Before long the supper was prepared, and the guests were invited into the dining-room. Chuck and I was there. The deacon saw us, but I guess he’d de- cided to give us a rest for the time being, for he scowled, an’ that was all he said. When everybody was seated and the parson WHOLESALE DEALERS IN RACKETS. _ | GARDS/: “Tt isn’t often I am moved to such emo- tion as now afflicts me,’’ he said. ‘‘I am of a gentle, poetic temperament, and just now I feel the divine inflatus, whatever that is. An original, an appropriate poem is seeth- ing for utterance in my head, and I fear the consequences will be disasterous if I am not permitted to give it room. With the kind permission of those present, I would like to repeat a few brief stanzas.’’ The deacon would have shut him up, but Mrs. Horn had been completely worked by So Chuck began: ‘‘Dear friends and neighbors gathered here, Behold two loving hearts united ; You’re welcome on this night of cheer, GENUINE CARDS, NC Mention Good News. he kiss the end of her se, and she in- sisted that everybody should listen, | AMateur’s Manual of Photography. Because you were invited. ; “emp y Sa eie 1 x arts of gold | Photography is tio} Through years to come these hearts of 5 old suitable for any young lady or gentleman, and within Will tread life’s path together ; the réact of all: When side by side they’re growing old, For sale by all Newsdealers, or wil} be sent, pont aid Th aed ir ds Ae pail Ee ay 7? upoL ceipt of price, te cents, by the pub. 8. They’ll heed*not stormy weather. MANUAL LIBRARY, 29 Rose Street, N.¥, ats ¢ ) Bi al 7 B ‘soll & Bro. 65 Cortlandt § Mention Good News. Pen,Pencil,ink & Stamp c.orname, town With any name in rubber, all ned 0 & state on, 15, BOYS OWN pocket STAMP clothing, ete: clothing, etc. 50 styles Rubber Ty: . Outfits from 13¢ up, * RubberStampCo. F22, NewHaven,Conm Mention Good News. and ke ‘amp for Sample Book of all the in Beveled i d Calling CARDS FOR 189%. SELL . UNION CARD CO., Columbus, Ohio. Mention Good News. sterious, Interesting 1ambersSt., N.Y Yecret Photos! Set ational, M by mail, 25c. B Pe i an Co., More fun than a barrel of monkeys, A complete set o! these grotesque little people with everlasting Ink pads With them a boy can make acircus ina minute. To intro- duce our big Catalogue of 1000 new articles, we send the Brownies postpaid for 10c. RK. H. Ingersoll & Bro. 65 Cortlandt St. N.Y City. Mention Good News. FOR ALL. $75 month salary and ex- penses paid. If you want employment write at once teP. O. VICKERY, Augusta,Maine. Mention Good News. S. & S. MANUAL LIBRARY, No. 6. PRICE, 10 CENTS. A hand-book of practical instructions in the art of lry -plate photography. It isa complete guide to this Fully ill ted. Tells from how a to the finish of a fi class picture, clean, light. and pleasant occupation, ating ar camera is m ‘‘Isn’t that perfectly lovely !’’ gushed one of the women, and the bride blushed, while | Chuck continued to chirp: ‘*My popper now is sixty-one, And fifty-three is Nancy, Yet both are frisky, full of fun, And feeling rather prancey.’’ them time to interrupt him, you bet. ‘*But when they come to know the truth, That both are rather rocky, And wear no more the teeth of youth, It surely will be shocky.’’ The deacon was gaspin’ and flourishin’ his fists, while the bride’s blushes had vanished, and she looked sourer’n vinegar. Some of the men was punchin’ each other in the ribs, while others was holding their hands over their mouths. And Chuck’s silvery voice trilled on: ‘When pa sees Nancy comb her hair I fear there’ll be repining, For she will comb it on a chair, And leave her bald head shining. “When pa takes out his eye of glass And puts it in a teacup, There’ll be a——”’ “Let me get hold of that young fiend!’ howled the deacon, as he climbed right upon top of the table in his eagerness to reach my pard. ‘‘Let me get my hands on him! He’ll never make up any more poetry !’ Nancy gave a shriek and fainted, while Chuck looked surprised, pained and alarmed, > (TO BE CONTINUED, ) POSER LEG PRT, ROUGH ON THE CANDIDATE, A would-be Congressman was addressing a political meeting, and in repudiating charges of untruthfulness contained in_ his previous address, he said: ‘““Yes, gentlemen, when I was a boy I was once thrashed for telling the truth.’’ Miner in audience—‘t Yes, my boy, and it cured you.’’ TEN CENTS EACH . . 2" Three For Twenty-Five Cents, We havea small stock of books on hand by the popular authors— Edw. S. Ellis. Lieut. R. H. Jayne. Wm. Murray Graydon. The volumes are bound in durable covers, and contain stories of adventire and romance, and are illustrated. The titles are: By E..S8..ELLIS, THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS, By WM. MURRAY GRAYDON, PERILS OF THE JUNGLE, By LIEUT. R. H. JAYNE. The supply is small, and will soon be exhausted. We therefore advise all who desire one or more of these books tosend in their orders at once. The books average over 300 pages each, Postage pre- ARTHUR HELMUTH, even the deacon looked pretty well satisfied. Good News Binder Answers the purpose of a vound volume. Holding even for double the price we ask, and is indispens- Somebody giggled, but Chuck didn’t give | able to those who are keeping their papers, as it not only preserves GOOD NEWS for future reference, and from being lost, but keeps them clean, and in good order. Itis both useful and ornamental. ‘Price 50 Cents. fifty-two copies comfortably. It is, without doubt, the finest binder ever offered It has a durable black embossed cover with paper can be inserted as soon as received. Full directions for inserting the paper accompany each binder. We will send the Goop Nrws binder, and a pack- ve of binder pins, postpaid, to any address on re- ceipt of 50 ‘cents. _ Mention Good News, OUT-DOOR SPORTS. S. & S. Manual Library No. 7; Price, 10 Cents. most popular out-of-door games. A book that will supply a long felt want. The games introduced, while well known, are elaborated, and many new features introduced, which makes them more inter- esting and less likely to become stale. Illustrates games with and without toys,for the city or country. For saleby all newsdealers, or will be sent, post- yaid, upon receipt of price, 10c., by the publishers, STREET & SMITH, 29 Rose Street, N. Y. I USED IT CARD flexible back, and a gold stamp title on the outside | cover, Itopens flat as any book, and each week’s | W. B. Lawson, A book of instruction for playing many of the | TUREISH HAIR ELIXIR B Grows a Heavy Beard, a Glossy Moustache, Beautiful Eyebrows, or Luxuriant Hair on Bald Heads in one month, or money refund. A you may relyon. We warrant every package. ly for use, 3 for 60 cts., 7 for $1, sealed by mail. INT MAN’G CO., Bta. A, Boston, Mase. ews. FOR 1895. 50 Sample Styles AND LIST OF 400 PREMIUM ARTICLES : FREE.HAVERFIELDPUB 00,0ADIZ,OHIO Mention Good News. ____ THE PEERLESS RECITER, This book contains thirty-seven selected recita- —_— Mention Good N | tions, humorous, pathetic, and historical. All who desire to secure recitations thatare bound to please the hearers will do well to examine this book. For sale by all I vsdealers, or will be sent, postpaid, upon x 10 cents, by the publishers, STREET & SMITH, 29 Rose Street, New York. Mention Good News. _FALSE MUSTACH ES ano GOATEES. E INS Fun for the boys, ie a@ complete dis- apy ' me guise; Fine hair i goods. As Sample a LAS vA ed © A va of our 1000 Novel- ties, we send one of each with large Catalogue for 10c. R. H. INGERSOLL & BRO., 6S CORTLANDT ST., N. Y. CITY, Mention Good News. This t is the exact size and style of the Goop NEWS Club Badge. The badge is made of a high ade of German silver; artistic in design and something every reader will be proud to wear. Any reader send- ing us 10 centsin stamps or silver will receive a badge. Electroty pes for print- ing the badge on letter heads, cards, etc., will be sent post-paid on receipt of twenty-five cents. Ten cents isall that is required to secure this handsome badge. Address GOOD NkEWs Corre sponding Club, 29 Rose street, New York. BOUND VOLUMES OF GOOD NEWS. a We have issued volumes two, three, four, five and six, bound in an attrac- tive heavy paper cover. ‘Cwenty-six numbers constitute a volume. The papers are cut and trimmed and bound with as much care as an expensive cloth binding, and the prices are Vols. 2 and 3, $1 Each. Vols. 4, 5 and 6, 85c. Each. These volumes contain serial stories by Edward 8. Ellis, Horatio Alger, Jas, Otis, Edward Stratemeyer, Harry Castlemon, Wm. Munray Graydon, Walter Morris, Oliver.Optic, Lieut. Lounsberry, And others equally well known, Address Subscription Department GooD NEWS; 29 Rose street, New York. Volume One out of print. i 5 Ae oi ak CN tt THE WAY TO DO MAGIC, S. G&S. Manual Library No. 8. Price 10¢ A complete expose of the so-called black art. It i§ illustrated, and shows how easy it is to afford amus® ment to others, which cannot be over-estimated. A & party or social gathering, if you can perform any tricks or legerdemain you are hailed as a public bene factor. Forsale by all Newsdealers, or will be sent, postpaid, onreceipt of price, 10c. Address, STREKT & SMITH, 29 Rose Street, New York Mention Good News. PAR AALRALPPAPPPLPLLPPL price 10 cents each includes postage. Album Writer’s Assistant. Amateur’s Manual of Photography. How to Do Business. Short Hand for Everybody. The Taxidermist Manual, Everyday Cook Book. Boys’ Own Book of Boats. Out Door Sports. The Young Gymnast. The Hunter and Angler. Dunn’s Fencing Instructor. Prof. Muldoon’s Wrestling. The Complete Checker Player. Backgammon and Bagatolle. Capt. Webb’s Swimming Instructor. Poe’s Foot-Ball. Campbell’s Lawn. Tennis. Zola’s Fortune-Teller. Napoleon’s Book of Fate. Cupid’s Dream Book. The Way to Do Magic. Hoeller’s Hand Book of Magic. The Peerless Reciter. The Young Elocutionist. paid, The works of these authors are seldom sold had said grace, Chuck suddenly rose to his feet, wiping his eyes and speaking, chokingly : for less than one dollar each. Address STREET & SMITH, 27 Rose St., New York. cents each, postage free, Address, The following list of books will be found useful. entertaining, and full of instructive informat all. They are handsomely bound in attractive covers printed on good quality paper, illustrated, a0 pe marvels of excellence. ‘These books have never before been offered at such a low figure. Be sure to use “Mrs. Winslow? Soothing Syrup” for your childry while Teething. 25 cents a botil® 4 52) ee ee FOR EVERYBODY: « TEN CENTS EACH. « fot jon ft Useful ana instructive Information. The Book of Knowledge. Women’s Secrets ; or, How to be Beautiful. Mill’s Universal Letter-Writer. Good Housekeeping. People’s Reference Book. hii The Marriage Mirror; or, Love and Courtslil GAMES AND SPORTS. Riddles and Their Answers. al. Amateur and Professional Oarsman’s Mant The International Cricket Guide. a P Complete Training Guide for Amateur 4” fessional Athletes. Riding and Driving. Caliahan’s Easy Method of Ventriloquist The Complete Angler. Aquatic Guide; or, Yachting and Sailinge FORTUNE =TEialalIN Go. Imperial Fortune-Teller. Zola’s Dream Book. Hermann’s Black Art; or, Witchcraft, Necromancy, TRICES. Hermann’s Tricks with Cards. RECITATIONS AND READINGS Select Recitations and Readings. ; The Standard Reciter. yo! MANUAL, LIBRARY, 2 Rose St. New ; ter wosmerist” ' ons? My P| These books will be sent prepaid upon receipt of 10 cents each. When ordering, Pooxs a j ticular to send the full title of the book desired, also your full name and address. The AVVMAALABMAABBRLALLALEGnio {