Dakota County herald. (Dakota City, Neb.) 1891-1965, January 03, 1908, Image 2

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    OVFENiriOHE COOPER
A STORY OF. THE REVOLUTION
CHAPTF.K XXII. (Continued.)
All eyes wore now turlird on Dunwoo
flic, who. looking nt his wntch, spoke n
tow words Willi Henry, in mi undertone,
snd hastened from tin1 n 1 irt iiiont, fol
lowed by Francos. Tlio subject of their
conversation was n wish expressed hy Hip
prisoner for n clergyman of hi" own per
suasion, nnd n promise from the innjo','.
thnt oup should bo sent from Fishkill
town, through which Iip wn shout to pass
on his wny to tlio ferry to intercept tli"
expected return of II. ..per. Mason soon
made hit. how nt the door, nnd willingly
complied with the wishes of the landlady;
tnd the divine wnH invited to irtitkw bis
Ipponrnnoo accordingly.
lie stnlkod into iIip room, nnd giving n
tiff nod with his head, took the chair
offered him hy the black, in dignified si
'leure. Mr. Whartou led Sarah from the
apartment, llis retreat was noticed hy
the divine, in n kind of scornful disdain,
who began to hum the uir of n popular
psalm tune, Riving it thp full richness of
the twang that diitiiiguihlics the Eastern
psalmody,
"Ca-sor," snid Miss Peyton, "hnnd tin'
gentleman some refresh in. lit ; ha tnu.st
Be1! it aftpr his ride."
"My strength is not in the things of
life," Raid the divine, speaking in a hol
low, sepulchral voice. "Thrice hnve I
this day lipid forth in my master' ser
vice; and fainted not."
"I opprehpiid, then, sir, that fatigue
will cusiioio von iroui in-: on uuuii tin-
duties which kindness had induced you
to attPtnpt."
"Womnn!" exclaimed the stranger,
with energy, "when was I ever known to
shrink from a duty' Hut 'judge not, lest
yo lie Judged,' nnd fancy not that it is
given to mortal pjps to fathom the in
tentions of the Deity."
Nay, I pretend not to judge of either
vents, or tlio intentions of my fellow
creatures, much less of those of Omnipo
tence." "Tin well, woman 'tis well," cried
the minister, waving his hand with super
cilious disdain; "humility hecometh thy
sex, and lost condition; thy weakness
drivoth thee on headlong, like 'unto the
bosom of destruction.'"
Surprised at this extraordinary deport
ment; yielding to thnt hahit which urges
,ns to speak rcverpntly on stirred subjects,
even when poihhps we had hetter continue
ailnnt liciM I'rtullitl until
Pill IH .H mil iwii ,-.' .
i "Inhere is a power nliove, that enn and
will sustain us all in well-doing. If we
seek its support in humility ami truth."
i So saying, she withdrew, followed hy
the landlady, who was not a little shock
ed by tbe Intemperate zeal of her new ac
quaintance. Ilcnry had with difficulty represspd the
Indignation excited hy this unprovoked
attack on his meek and unresisting aunt;
but an the door closed on her retiring fig
ure, he gave way to his feelings.
. "I must confesB, sir," he exclaimed,
svltii heat, "that In receiving a minister
f God I thought I was admitting a
Christian, and one who, by feeling his
own weaknesses, knew how to pity the
frailties of others. You have wounded
the meek spirit of an excellent womnn,
and I acknowledge but little inclination
to mlnglo in prayer with so intolerant a
plrit." '
The minister stood erect, with grave
composure, following with his pyes, in a
kind of scornful pity, the retiring fe
males, and suffered tbe expostulation of
the youth to be given as if unworthy of
bis notice. A third voice, however, spoke.
"Such a denunciation would hnve
driven many women into fits; but it has
answered tho purpose well enough, as
It Is."
"Who's that?" cried the prisoner, in
amazement, gfizing around the room in
Quest of the speaker:
,"t is I, Captain Wharton," said Hnr
Yey Birch, renioviug the spectacles, and
exhibiting his pierciug eyes, shining un
der a pair of fulse eyebrows.'
'"Good heavens Harvey!"
"Silence!" said the peddler, solemnly;
"'tis a name not to be mentioned, and
least of all here, within tho heart of the
American army." Kirch paused, and
taxed around him for a moment, with an
motion exceeding the bnss tinsNion of
(ear, and then continued, .in n gloomy
tone, "There are a thousand halters in
that very name, and little hope would
there be left me of another escape, should
I be again token. This Is a fearful ven
ture that I am mnking; but I could not
leep In quiet, and know that nn inno
cent man was about to die tho death of a
dog, when 1 might save him."
"No," snid Henry, with a glow of gen
erous feeling on his cheek ; "if the risk
to yourself he so heavy, retire as you
came and leave me to my fate. Dun
woodie is making powerful exertions iu
my behalf; and if he meets with Mr. Har
per in the course of the night, my libera
tion is certain." '
"Harper!" echoed the peddler, remain
ing with his hands raised, In I lie net of
replacing the spectacles ; "what do you
know of Hnrper? nnd why do you think
be will do jou service?"
"I have his promise you remember
ur recent meeting iu my father's dwell
ing', and he then gave un unasked promise
to assist inc."
"Yes but do you know him? that Is
Why do you think ho lin the power? or
What reason hnto you for believing h.
trill remember his word?"
' If there ever was a stamp of truth,
r simple, ' honest benevolence, in the
roun tens nee of man, it shone in his." said
llenryj "besides, Dunwoodie has power
ful riends in the rebel army, ami it
Would be better that I take (lie chance
where I am, than thus to expose you to
tertajn death. If detected."
"Captain Whurton," miid Hindi, look
ing guardedly around, unil speaking with
Impressive seriousness of manner, "if I
fail you, all fail you. No Harper nor
Dunwoodie can save your life; unless you
et out with me, mid that within the
hour, you dio to-morrow on the gallows of
a murderer." -
Tbe peddler beckoned him to tie silent
and, walking to the door, opened It with
the stiff, formal nir with which ho had
entered the apartment.
"Friend, let no one enter," he said to
tbe sentinel; "we are about to go to
prayer, and would wish to be alone."
"You overact your jiurt." said .vouiie
'Wharton, in constant apprehension of dis
eovcry ; "your fesl is too inteiuiiernto."
"For a foot soldier nnd them r.ustnrn
militia It might be," said Harvey, turn
ing a bag upside down that Cu-sur now
banded bun; "but these dragoons are fel
lows that you must brag down. A faint
heart, Captain Wharton, would do but lit
tle here ; but rotne, here is a black shroud
lor your good looking countenance," tak
U$ M tbe same tint a parchment nuuk
nnd fitting it to the face of Henry. "The
muster" nnd the man must change plncps
for n sea -ion."
"I don't link he look' a bit like me,"
f-nid (Vrar, with disgust, ns he surveyed
his young nmsler with his new complex
ion. "Slop n minute, Oosnr," snid the ped
dler, with the lurking drollery thnt at
limes formed part of his manner, "till
we get on tlio wool."
"lie worse than eblier now," cried the
discontented African. "A think colored
n an like a sheep. . I nebbor see such a
lip. Harvey; he most ns big as a sau
sage !"
Orent pains had been taken In forming
the dilTerent articles used in the disguise
of Cnptain Wharton, nnd when nrrnnged,
under the skillful superintendence of the
peddler, they, formed together n transfor
mation that would easily escape detection
from nny but nn extraordinary observer.
The, mask was stuffed njid shaped in
pitch n manner ns to preserve the pecu
liarities, ns well ns the color, of the Af
t'cnn visage; n in the wig w-s so artfully
formed op black nnd white wool, ns to imi
tate (lie pcpper-iiud-salt color of Cnwnr's
cwu 1 1 ad.
. Cn-snr, who had received minute In
structions from the peddler in their
morning interview, immediately commenc
ed throwing nside bis conrse garments,
which the youth took up and prepared to
Invest himself with.
CHAPTKIl XX in.
Everything now was arranged for ac
tion, nnd the peddler very deliberately
went over the whole of his injunctions to
tlio two nclors in the scene. Thus pre
pared, he opened tho door and called
nloud to the sentinel.
'Let the woman of tho house be called,"
said Harvey, in tho solemn key of his
assumed character; "nnd let her come
nlone. The prisoner is iu a happy train
of meditation, and must not bo led from
his devotions."
Cn-snr snnk hit face between his hands,
nnd when (he soldier looked into the
THE ROYAL CAPTAIN HAS CIIANOED TO A
m.ACK."
npnrlnipnt, he thought he saw his charge
in deep abstraction. Casting a glance of
hugn contempt at the divine, he called
nloud for tho good woman of the house.
Mio Hastened to the summons, with earn
est renl, putprtnining a secret hope that
she wns to lis admitted to tbe gossip of
a denth-bed repentance.
"Sister," snid the minister, In the au
thoritative tones of a master, "have you
In the bouse 'The Christian Criminal's
Last Moments, or Thoughts on Eternity,
for Them who Dio a Violent Death?"
"I never heard of the book !" said the
matron. In astonishment.
" 'Tis not unlikely; there are many
hooka yon have never heard of ; It Is im-
possible for this poor prnitcnt to pass In
peace without the cousolntlons of that vol
ume. One hour s rending In it Is worth
an age of man's preaching.'
"Hless me, what a treasure to possess I
when was It put out?"
"It was first put out at Geneva. In the
Greek language, and then translated at
Hoston. It is a book, woman, that should
be in tho hands of every Christian, espe
cially such as die upon the gallows. Have
a horse prepared instnntly for this black,
who shnll accoujiany mo, and I will send
down the volume yet in season. Brother,
compose thy mind; you are now in the
narrow pn'h to glory."
Cu-snr wriggled a little In his chair, but
he had sufficient recollection to conceal
his face with bands that were, in their
turn, concealed by gloves. The landlady
departed to comply with this very roaaon
nblo reijuest, nnd tho group of conspira
tor were again left to themselves.
Hie u:nn soon returned, nnd announced
that (he lioisee were at the door. Har
vey gave the captain a glance, and led
the way dftwu the stairs, first desiring the
womnn to leave the prisoner to himself,
in order that he might digest the wliole
Kome mental food that h had so lately
received.
A rumor of the odd character of the
priest had spread from the sentinel at the
door to his comrades; so that when Har
vey and Wharton reached the open space
lie'oie the building, they found a dor.en
idle dragoons loiteriug about, with tbe
waggish intention of quizzing the fanatic,
nnd emplojed ill uffectcd udmirutiou of
the stis'ds.
"A Tine horse!" snid the lender in this
plan of mischief; "but n little low in
tlesh ; I suppose from hurd labor In your
calling."
"My CHlling may be luborsoine to both
myself mid this faithful beast, but 'ben n
d.-y of sett ling is nt hand, that will re
nnrd tne for all my outgoings and incom
ings," siii i t liirch, pulling bis fisit in the
stirrup and preparing to mount. "Cu-snr,
you inn ride up the road and deliver the
note - the uuhappy prisoner will be want
ing tbe book, for his hours are num
bered." "Ay --!, go along, Casnr, and get the
Isxik." i -limited half a dozen voices, ad
crowding eagerly around the ideas priest,
iu anticipation of u frolic.
"What are you at there, scoundrel.!?"
cried Lieutenant Mason, as he came In
sight ; "away with every man of you to
your quarters, and let me find that each
horse is lenned and littered when I come
round." 'llie sound of the ollicer'a voice
oMruied like a charm. The peddler took
tluit opportunity to mount . but he had
to preserve the gravity of his movements;
for the remark of the troopers upon the
condition of their beasts was but too Just,
, J. imM
hWfl mm
aa4 a dozea dragoon horses stood saddled
and bridled at hnnd, ready to receive tbelr
riders at a mom pet's warning.
"Well, have you bitted the poor fellow
within," snid Mason, "that tie can take
his last ride under the curb of divinity,
old gentleman ?"
"Out upon thee for a rpvllpr nnd scoffet
of gisidupss!" snid Hirch, moving slowly,
nnd with a due observance of clerical dig
nity, down the rond. followed by the Imag
inary Osnr; "but I leave thee, nnd thnfl
behind nie thnt will prove thy condemna
tion, and take from tr"e a hearty and joy
ful deliverance.'' '
"Corpornl of thp gnnrd ! corporal ot
the guard!" shouted the sentinel In the
passage to the chambers; "corporal oE
the gunrd! corpornl of the guard!"
The subaltern flew up the narrow stnir
wny thnt led to Hip room of the prisoner,
nnd deninnded the meaning of the out
cry. The soldier wns standing nt tl e open
door of the npnrtmpnt, looking in with a
suspicious eye on the supisised nritish,
officer. On ohserving bis lieutenant, hi
fell bnck with habitual respect, nnd re
plied, with nn nir of puzzled thought :
"I don't know, sir; but Just now the;
prisoner looked queer. Ever since thnt
prendier hns left him he don't look as hoi
used to do but," gar.ing intently over tho
shoulder of his oftiepr, "It must be him,
too ! There Is the same powdered head,
nnd the darn In the coat, where he wn
hit the day he had the Inst brush with the
enemy."
"And then all this noise Is occasioned
by your doubting whpthsr thnt poor gen-,
tlemnn Is your prisoner or not, Is It, sir
rah? Who do you think it can be else?"1
"I don't knew who else it enn be," ro-i
turned the fellow, sullpnly ; "but he is
grown thicker nnd stlorter. if it is he;;
nnd see for yourself, sir, he shakes all
over, like a man In nn ngue."
"Thnt anahnptist, methodistleal, quaker,;
psalm-singing rascal hns frightened the
boy with bis farrago about flames find
brimstone. I'll step In nnd chepr him
with a little rational eonvprsation."
"I have heard of fpnr mnking a man
white," Faid the soldier, drawing bnck, nnd
staring as if his eyes woufiT start from
their sockets, "but It has changed the
royal cnptain to a black 1"
The truth was that Cn-snr, unable to
hear what Mason uttered In a low voice,
incniitiously removed tho wig a little from
one of his ears In order to hear the bet
ter, without in the least remembering that
Its color might prove fatal to his disguise.
Tho sentinel had kept his eyes fastened on
his prisoner, and noticed the action. The
attention of Mason wns instantly drawn
to the same object; and, forgetting all
delicacy for a brother officer in distress,
the lieutenant sprang forward and seiz
ed the terrified African by the throat.
"Who are you?" cried Mason, dashing'
the head of the old man against the nnglo
of the wall nt eneh Interrogatory; "who
nre you, nnd where is the Englishman?
Speak, thou thunder-clotid ! Answer me,
you jnekdaw, or I'll hnng you on the gal
lows ef the spy !"
"Ilnrvey, Harvey!" cried Cipsar, danc
ing frora orrgxlpJ5 tn other, as he
thought each member in turn might bo as
sailed. "Harvey Birch!" echoed the trooper,
hurling the black from him and rushing
from the room. "To arms! to arms!
Fifty guineas for the life of the peddler
spy give no quarter to either. Mount I
mount ! to arms 1 to borse !"
(To be continued.)
IT COSTS MORE TO EAT NOW.
Prices Have Been Advanced In Alt
Sorts of Foods,
Tho price of everything to ent has
boon advanced, snys the Knnsns City
Star. Even the price of toothpicks Is
higher now than a tow weeks ago. Ia
many Instances the advance hns not
been "Blight," but tho kind that makes
a man look at his grocery bill two or
three times before be can realize what
has come to pnss.
Tbe big wholesalers hnve placed a
barrel of black, gunpowder under their
price lists and lifted them sky high.
They any they are not to blame. It's
either the weather, the green bugs, the
box manufacturers or the tin trust tho
public will hnve to blame, they say.
Tlie lumbermen chargo more for lum
ber and the tin trust more for tin, so
It costs from 6 to 9 cents more a dossen
to pnek can goods now than It did Inst
yenr. There is a light crop In Califor
nia and labor Is very high-priced there
these days. Cold weather In other bpc
tlons hns killed the fruit and tho sea
son Is backward in all sections, so that
canned fruits and vegetables are selling
for more now than ever before.
The advance Is not in canned goods
only. Halt Is worth 10 cents a barrel
more, flour C5 cents more a barrel and
ham, bacon, beef steak, pork chops In
proportion. It Is simply a regular
stanipedo to high prices with llttlo pros
pect of relief.
Even the oyster beds have been blank
this season on account of stormy
weather, earthquakes or some other
causes not known. Hut It Is ,'certaln
that Mr. Oyster has taken a tumble for
deep water or scattered In the sea gar
dens. Tho man from Ck-rmnny, who hns
boon congratulating himself on belnj;
able to buy canned sauerkraut as one
of the new ctinncd gools varieties, will
have to take frora his pocket a little
more money now when ho buys this
delicacy. It Is no longer economy to
cut dried apple for brenkfust, drink
wr.ter for dinner and swell up for sup
per, because the price of all kinds of
dried fruit Is uwny up. The in-rson
who eats it Is simply up against It Intnl.
The people In all classes lire lilt hard
by the advances. The price of corn Is
up ami the prospects are It will May
there. Corn bread ami hominy have
U'imi most reliable dislu-s to fall hark,
on in hard times ami high prices, but
the Iowa, Missouri tuul Kansas farm
er, w ..o has Ih'ou selling bis corn bi--low
the cost of production will receive
more for It this yenr. Sweet potatoes
nnd Irish potatoes nre also uu the ud
viince list In a most pronounced way. .
"I'eople nre more wasteful In tho
things they buy to eat these prosperous
times man ever neim-e, one gmvr
iinUl this morning. "They will have to
go buck to the ild economical wuy of
the kitchen 'ami dining room. The cost
if living along all lines lias lscu In
creased. The fanner that ran product
a K,H"l crop this year will make big
money.
iKmt kick; lie cheerful and hope for
a bountiful crop.
Illllh Nuun,
l'atleuce What does It mean by be
ing married at "high noon?" Do yoa
know 1
I'atrke Ob, yes; It means a 13 to 1,
chance. Yonkors Statesman,
SMILING IN DREAMS.
Into whnt Intul of dt-rnniH
Does Fancy with her fairy scenes lii-gulI
Tlio slmnbcrlns? Infant, thnt the sweet bubo seems
To Answer with n snilh
Sotnp form invisible to VHklng oyon,
Thnt beckons dimmers Into l'rnilc?
O child of itinorcivo,
W lioso tliopgbt Is inn ( t nclicd to earthly things,
Sny wlitit bright nngol thus lnvbrs t!irc hon.v,
Whnt i-lilul.ie prift It brings.
For we. too, sljoubl nm-.-elvcs Is- rI.kI to ."M
Whnt splrndld vision is rcvrnksl to tlici.'.
Alns, our pnuls ont!!ve
All niomnrv of what wns once bo near!
The years Hint follow on our chlldiionl kIvp
No guerdon half so dear
' As that whJi won the worsiil;i of tho child.
To w hich li dreams wo Hl-eirlu rt out- bands :iiul smiled.
-Youth's (Viinpnnlori.
A Victim of
"Jlmmlc, where nre you? Come, 1
want you!" culled Andrew Culvert
testily.
He wns nlrendy angry because his
son had not appeared nt a second's
notice; so when Jimtnln finally enme
skipping down the stnirs he received
a scowl frora his father nnd a rough
command to hurry up and drive the
cow across to the" meadow.
"All right sir," said the boy ns
cheerily ns he could, but the harsh
words caused a lump to rise In his
thront.
Alns, the lump wns often there. An
drew Cnhert Iu days gone by had been
the kindest Of parents, but affliction
nnd poverty had apparently caused n
scale of ill-humor to cover tip a nut
iirnlly mild disposition. Ever since
the death of his wlfo his affairs had
not been prosperous and he wns now
a very poor man on a small and un
productive farm. Debt had caused him
to sell nearly all his horses nnd he had
only one cow left. Luckily she wns a
remarkably good milker nnd therefor.;
a very Important factor In the domestic
economy.
For some reason, which .Timtnie could
not find out, his father had appar
ently lost nil Interest In the fnrm.
Shutting himself up in the attic, he
would stny there for hours at a time,
nnd on reappearing he would always be
despondent or In the worst possible
humor. Of course, a poor farm is made
no hetter by neglect ; the hands win not
work properly without an overseer,
nnd Andrew Calvert's property got
Into very bnd shape.
On the morning that Jlmmie receiv
ed tho oommnn to look after the cow
his father wns unusually cross. Hence
tho boy hesitated a moment before
opening up a certain subject thnt he
knew would be a disagreeable one, but
he finnlly mustered up enough courage,
and said :
"Father, you know that big hole In
the fence by the railroad tracks I told
you about the other dny? Well, you
haven't fixed It up yet, and I am
afrnid Itlossom will get out."
"Hoy, don't bother nie with such
things. I'm tired of hearing com
plaints, and why Isn't this done nnd
why Isn't that. Go on . with your
work."
"Hut, father," persisted Jlmmie,
"suppose, she gets out on the tracks
and gets killed? Whnt shall we do
then?"-
"The railroad company will havo to
pay me for her, that's what," snid
Andrew grimly.
"They won't,1 though, If she gets out
through a hole in our fence," said his
son, who had often heard the gossip
In slmllur cases.
"Never you inlud. You attend to
your business i and see after Blossom
all right and she won't get out. Kun
along now; I must go upstairs,"
As Jlmmie started toward the nienil
ow with the cow he saw his old class
mate and bosom friend, Frank Bensall,
sauntering along.
"Come on, Frank." he cried. "loot's
go over to the meadow. Maybe we can
lltul Home mushrooms."
Frank was willing nnd they proceed
ed down the lane. The meadow wns
across the railroad that cut tbe Cal
vert farm In half, nnd gates were
placed on both sides of the track In
order to prevent stock from getting
out on the company's right of way.
"What a bother It Is to open nnd
shut these gates," snid Frank, as he
helped Jimniie with them. "My, how
heavy they are!"
"They're Just like lots of other
things around here," snid .limmie.
They need fixing. Just below here
there are five or six panels of fence
down and I'm scared to death every
lay for fear Itlossom gets out and is
killed. Father would be hopping mad,
nnd I don't see how we could get along
without her milk."
Why don't you fix the fence?" said
Frank, as they drove the cow into the
meadow.
"Because I can't. How can V set
posts?"
"Here's a mushroom. Hut I don't
see any more."
"They nre pretty scarce,' "said Jliu
nile. "Say, Frank,, let's fix this gate."
"How? Oil It?"
"No, simple. Can't you see how low
it hangs? That makes It bind. Now
If we only had a piece of rope to guy
it tip with."
"How?" uskt-d Frank, who was not
gifted with much practical or mechan
ical ability.
I1UI.SHOM WAS WAI.RIXO 0XT0 THE RAIL
ROAD TRACKS.
Conscience
"Why, to a siipilng. Let's hunt for
some."
Very fortunately they ran across an
old clothes line, nnd Frank cut down
a hb kory sapling, which they planted
near (be gate post. They attached the
rope und found, after a little adjust
ing, that the gate now worked ver
easily.
"That's pretty good," said Jlmmie,
who was much; pleased with his Idea,
"but I have a fetter scheme yet. You
know, every time we drive across here
we have to get out of the wagon, open
the gate nnd then shut It again. And
flirn we have to do the sumo thing on
the other side."
"Yes, It's a regular nuisance," as
sented Frank.
"Why can't I work It so that we
might open the gate without leaving
the team?"
"Of course yon ran.".
"Well, let me uce. It won't be so
easy as you think. I could put a long
pole alongithe top of the gate and
oh, I've g.ft it! ' With a rope from tho
end or the pole, and a sort of pulley
arrangement yes, that would do. My,
won't father like it! He hates to get
out, especially when he drives the
colt."
After two hours of good, hard work
the lioyg managed to rig up a rude sort
of device, but It performed Its func
tion, albeit a little shakily.
Then, much pleased with themselves,
they went up the hill to the orchard
and gathered some magnificent green
apples as hard as rocks. Of these tbey
nte heartily but with a heroism they
did not suspect.
Suddenly Jlmmie gave an exclama
tion of alarm, and Frank hastily look
ed up.
"What's the matter?"
"Oh, my, that Blossom!"
The cow was venturing into forbid
den territory. Through some unhappy
thoughtlessness tho bovs had left th
meadow gate open aud Blossom was
calmly walking out on to the railroad
tracks.
"Come on, Jimmle, let's stop her,"
cried Frank, but they were half a
mile away and if a train should come
It looked as If It were all up with her.
The boys ran as fast ns they could,
while Blossom, wlththe usual stupid
ity of a cow, sedately walked down the
center of the tracks. No grass was
there, nor any real Inducement for her
to go on such a dangerous path, but
she seemed to take It out of that pure
bovine "meanness" which farmers
know so well.
The whistle of an approaching train
wss heard. '
Poor Biossom why did she know no
Itotter? For, Just us she got about
opposite to where the fence was so
badly broken, the train came up, and,
despite the engineer's efforts to stop,
she was hit and thrown to one side, a
dead beust.
As tho body wns clear of the track,
the engine whistled twice and tho
train, which hud nearly stopped, moved
off.
A little later the boys got there,
both out of breath. They looked at
the dead animal with scared faces.
"Isn't It awful?" whispered Frank.
"Oh, what will father say?"
"It's your only cow, isn't It?" asked
Frank with n troubled air.
"Yes, and Its all my fault for leav
ing that gate open."
"Your father will whip you, won't
he?"
"Oh, no. Well I don't know. He
was mighty particular about that cow
Just this morning he was telling me to
watch her carefully, as the fence was
down."
"Humph! Say, Jlmmie," said Frank
hoarsely, "liow'Il he know she got out
the gate? If I were you I'd tell him
she came through that hole in tho
fence. He'd never know the differ
ence." "Oh, 1 don't know what to do," cried
Jimniie, who was almost in tears.
"You don't know father, Frank. He's
awfully severe and all thnt and it's
his only cow but I'd hate to toll him a
lie. l'roiiiise me you won't tell any
one about this, will you? I'll go home
and think it over."
"Yes, honor bright. But 1 must go
now. You'd better do ns I say."
And Frank tramped off, glad to get
i safe distance U'tween himself and
Mr. Calvert, of whose sour temper ho
had heard a great deal.
Jimmle started for the house, first
shutting the gate that had made so
much trouble, but went with the slow
est of steps, since he had to make up
his mind ns to what account he shouM
give of the nivldeiit.
He knew that his father would be
terriblv aiiiTV when he heard the news
Yet even his anger would not be so bnd
us tho privation that would be caused
by the loss of their only cow. And he
was to blame for It all! How could
he bear to look his father lu tlio face?
But If he lied, deliberately lied
and gave a false cuuse for lssir Blos
som's death : if he nut the blame uuon
iula father's neglect to repair tbe fence
onld be then approach him with
clonr eye and a clean conscience?
No, but
A cold shiver rnn down his bnclt
He hnd witnessed exhibitions of hit
father's wrath, and he was sore afraid.
By this time he had reached the
house. Undecided ns he wns be went
In and found bis fnther In the sitting
room. Mr. Cnlvert stnrted up when he
saw Jimmle gazing at him.
"Whnt Is It?" he asked roughly.
"Father " Jlmmie begnn, but
something in his voice moved the fa
ther.
"Well, my boy," he said kindly.
Jinuule's tongue seemed to stick, nnd
his thront grew so dry that he hnd to
cough!'
"Father, Blossom's killed."
"Sho's killed. She got out on the
railroad nnd was hit, right where dur
fence Is broken down, which I told you
about."
"Well,, where were " but the look
of suppressed emotion In his son's face
kept Mr. Cnlvert-' from the threatened
outburst.
"Father, the train hit her by thnt
hole, but she got out through tho gate.
I left It open."
Andrew Cnlvert wns a rough nnd
disappointed man. This blow, caused
by the cnrelessness of his son, was a
heavy one, but with a father's Intui
tion he saw at ouce the struggle
through which Jimmle had lately pass
ed. Being a perfectly honest man. hsj
was proud of his son's victory over
temptation. Blood is thicker thnn
water, and a great gush of sympathy
went out toward his boy.
"Come, Jlmmie, let's have a look nt
her," he said with a" little tremor In
his voice.
They went down the lane together
In silence, but when Miey got to the
gate Andrew noticed Jimmle's contri
vance. "What's that?" he cried, a scowl
gathering on his face. "Have you been
spying In the attic?"
"No, Indeed," replied the son In
dignantly. "Yon have always told me
not to go there."
"Why, that's my patent!" exclaimed
the farmer. "Only why, bless my
soul, bey, you've hit on the very Idea
that I've been trying to catch on to
for so long. It works this way, doesn't
it?"
ne went up and tried it.
"Jlmmie, Jimmle, you've done what
your own father couldn't do. That's
it; thnt little wriakle there that's
what has been such a stumbling block
to me. Who'd have thought It that
ray boy would be the one to set me
straight? But I must cut It down, or
some one else will steal my no, our
patent."
And In a few moments there was not
a elrn left of Jimmle's devloe.
During their walk back to the house
Andrew explained to his son how It
wii &6 be had spent bo much time
In flWt1c, for he had forgotten all
about iMossom. It seems that, pos
sessed of a half-developed plan of a
patent gate, tbe sale of which would
et his money affairs straight, he had
tolled and dreamed over a model that
he had up there. Ills non-success had
made him Irritable, and caused him to
be wrapped up too much in one fixed
Idea. But for one fatal flaw, the thing
was complete; and now his boy had
found the remedy.
"Never mind the cow, Jimmle. That's
all right. I'm sorry for her, but there's
no use crying over spilt milk. We can
make enough money now to buy plenty
of cows. But do you know, Jimmle "
his voice grew very tender here
"there's one thing mnkes me gladder
than getting the finlshlng-up of the
patent I'm glad you are honest, boy."
And Jimmle was glad, too. Chicago
Dally News.
CHIVALRY OF RED MEH.
Indian Trait Shown In Heat of BIki
Fastball Game.
Near the end of a brilliant match,
between our oldest university and the
Carlisle Indians, one of the Indian
backs suddenly got away with nothing
between him and the goal posts but one
man. If the runner succeeded in get
ting by him. It meant everlasting ath
letic glory for himself and perhaps a
victory for his small college over this
mighty Institution of learning, contain
ing tho flower of the clvlllzntlon which
had swept his forefathers away from
the lands they once possessed. The
crowd In the stands had arisen, gnsp
lng in their excitement, as crowds al
ways do at such moments. But Just
as he had almost gained the coveted,
line, that one man, a famous sprinter,
brought the runner down with a beau
tlrut tackle. The stands rocked with
relief, and the usual "piling up" of
other players took place. As the two
lay there together, the falr-halred rep-1
resentatlve of New England, while still
clasping the dark-skinned descendant
of American savagery, felt something
fumbling, and presently became aware,
at the bottom of the heap there, that
his right hand wss being shaken.
"Good tackle," muttered the Indian.
Outing.
Story of a Cireek Saint.
A inemlier of the Koyal Geographi
cal Society gives this little story of a
Greek saint : "Our good St. Blnzlos
gave us the phrase 'drunk as Blazes,'
for this saint was pleasautly done to
death by having bis flesh torn off by
wool combs, and so he beenme the pa
tron of the English wool combers, and
ns a high fenHt. wns kept on his day
nnd the people who frequented the
feast, wero called Blazers, so the say
ing grew Into the English tongue and
remains there fixed nnd useful."
Ill lllait nots.
A London curate the other day re
ceived an astonishing answer to an
Inquiry after a parishioner's health.
"Well. Kir," said the parishioner,
"sometimes I feels anyhow, sometimes
I feels nohow and there be times when
I feels hs stiff as n birumidge."
Wbr 11 Kujura Frrrilon,
"Or. Besom is once more among ns
for a brief season," wrote the chron
icler of an English village's social and
religious life. "He says nnd tJoes ex
actly as ho thinks right, without re
gard to the opinion or belief of others.
Ills wife Is not with him."
"Did you have a line Unto trip?"
"Yery much so nil lines."-- Baltimore
American.
"Edgar Is a splendid tnlker. Isn't
be?" "One of the finest I ever es"npod
from." Lfo.
"How many preplo work In your of
fice?" "Work? I'rrhnps two-thirds of
tliem.'1 Fllcgcnde Blatter.
Stella Po she divorced hi in for de
sertion? Bella Yes. lie positively re
fused to live In the auto. Evo:i!iig
fun.
"I haven't a pull with any one." s.tid
(he unsunv.v.ful man. "()!i, yes, you
have, denr," snid his wl.'e, encouraging
ly, "with tic? fool-kiiier." Life.
Senator A And do timst of your om-f-Mtuents
think as you do on this ques
tion? Scn.tror X-Well, most of them
tlilnk ns they think I do. Sotnervlllo
Journal.
"In n few years," said tlio Inventor,
"we will be traveling by nlrship." "I
hope so," answered the luitoinobilist.
"It will be n Joke on Uu country sher
iffs." Washington Post.
Tommy Figg Sister's beau kicked
t.v doj yesterday, but I got even with
;tim, you bel. Johnny Brlggs How ?
Tommy Flgg I mixed quinine with
her face powder. Indianapolis Jour
nal. "Do you really like mo, Charley?"
"Sure, llon't I come to see you regu
larly?" "But tneii often call on a girl
for whom they care llltlo or nothing."
"Not with Christmas looming up."
Houston I'ost.
"Never marry a man to reform him,
dear." "I won't, aun;le. And I'll prom
ise yon another thing." "What Is that,
toy child?" "I'll never reform a man
r r some other girl to marry." St. Tsui
rinneer Tress.
Gladys I'apa will be sn pleased to
know that you are a poet.- Algernon
Ah! Then, like you, he adores poetry.
Gladys No, not that, but the Inst one
of my lovers lie tried to lick was a foot
ball plnyer. Life.
"I know something you don't know,
said fhe facetious youth to the fnlr
debutante. "What's that?" Inquired
the maiden. "Your waist Is unbutton
ed down the bnck," replied tho youth.
Detroit Fret- I'ress.
"Please, mum," began the aged hero
In appealing tones, as he stood at the
kitchen door on washday, "I've lost my
leg " "Well, I ain't got it," snap
ped the womnn, slamming tho door.
Everybody's Magazine.
"I wish you would mention this to
Jinks. It is highly Important." "I'll
mention it to him to-day." "But how
do you know you will see him to-day?"
"I'm bound to bump Into him. I owe
him money." St. Paul Pioneer Tress.
Policeman (holding down tramp on
sidewalk) No damage, ma'am ; he's
merely having a fit. Kind Lady Gra
cious! Shall I get some water and
throw it in his fnce? Pollcemnn Do
you wnnt to kill him? Seattle Fost-ln-telllgencer.
"Ah," said the press humorist, "I see
you liavo cut out one of my Jokes." "Ha,
ba!" "Found it funny, did you?" "Ex
cuse me for laughing, old man. What I
cut out was nn 'ad' on tho other side
of the page." Now Orleans Times
Democrat. "Are you going to settle anything cn
your daughter?" asked the young man
with the cigarette and languid nir,
"Well, It rather looks if she marries
you that she Is going to settle some
thing on mo," replied the parent.
Yohkers Statesman.
' "I understand that ho has long leen a
student of political economy," said the
Visitor. "He has," said Senator Glu
cose, "nnd his economy in politics hna
kept hlin out of office, lie thinks lie
enn be elected without spending a cent"
Town and Country.
Jack (encountering an old friend)
Hello, Jim! Fancy you volunteering 1
jlm sn, you sec, I've no wife nnd
family nnd 1 love war. But what
brings you out here? Jack That's Jusl
the jKiltit. I've got a wife and family
and I love peace. Iteglinent.
"You don't really mean to say you
wouldn't like to get out?" demanded
the prison visitor. "Why, I thought
you were In for life." "Oh, worse than
that, ma'am," replied tlv convict. "I'm
iu for a double life. I've got two wivel
waiting outside." Philadelphia Press.
The toller in the city had been given
an advance iu salary. "Now," he said,
jubilantly, "I can begin saving to buy
a farm." Out In Washington the agri
culturist looked nt the chock received
for his season's wheat. "Another such
crop or two nnd I can move Into the
city," he mused. Philadelphia Lodger.
The manager of an office had adver
tised f' " nl!'"'e u"y- ln ronso-cmencs.
lie was annoyed for an' hour by a strag
ling line f boys of all sk'.cs, clulmins
various accomplishments. "Well," he
said to a late applicant, "I suppose you
run read anything, and write anything,
and figure u little, and use the typewrit
er a little ami " "Nnw," interrupt
ed the boy. "If I could do all them
things, I'd strike yer fer ycr own Job,
ain't tiolhin' but an ollice boy." Hi
t the position. Bohemian.
A Cirntle Hint.
" got n neat rebuke for my curiosity
once," said a well-known Baltimore
mail, "anil it was administered to n.e
by a native of the CIie:.t river region
lu West Virginia.
'1 bad stopped overnight in the (Ha
rriet in question, and in the morning
was strolling about the place, nskitu
all sorts of questions. Presently I uie
a lanky mountain) or. who greeted me
with 'Howdy' and passed the time oi
day most pleasantly. Seeing that he
was hai'cl'ixiied, a clrcumstamt', It
seemed to me, quite odd in a moun
tainous region, 1 nuked :
'"Is It the custom of this countrj
for the men to go without shoes?
"'Waal,' the native drawled, "some
nn us do, but most on us nttcu'u to out
owu buslncbs.' " Llppiucott'a.