Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAHA DAILY BEE ; SUNDAY , MAY < ? , 189JUTWENTYPAGE&
cart * , donkey wnRons , whose drlrers all
Bcreamctl , aworo and cracked tholr whlpti In
> , the midst of a turmoil Increased by tlio
'darkness , that was only pierced by the
bright lights of the lamps.
The Htorm had lasted part of the night ,
and a sea of liquid mud splashed under the
homes' feet , while those who were walking
Flopped In above their ankles. M. Vlgucron ,
ifollowed In the distance by Mmc. Vlgucron
and Mmc. Chaise , lifted dustave to put him
and his crut h In the omnibus of the Motel
of the Apparition , where presently the
ladles themselves also got In. Mmc. Mazewith
a little shiver , like a cat that hates to wet
Us paws , signed to the driver of an old
Coupe , got In and disappeared , discreetly giv
ing the address of the Convent of the Dlue
Sisters , Finally Bister Hyuclnthe was able to
establish herself with Kllse Itouguct and
Hophlo Coutcau In a great chai-
a-bauc that was already occupied
by Kcrrand and Sisters St. francols
and Clalro dcs Auges. The coachmen
whipped their small fast horses , the car
riages rolled off with demoniac raplJlty , amid
the cries and the spluttering of the mud.
Mine. Vincent stood before the moving
flood , hesitating to croai , with her precious
burden In her arms. At times laughter was
heard around her. "Oh , what a mess ! " and
every one wonM hold up her garments ai
nlic went. Finally , as the crowd thinned In
the courtyard , she ventured to risk It. Ah ,
what n fear of slipping on the stones , of
falling In the dark night ! But when she
reached the Inclined part of the road she
found there groups of women on the watch ,
offerings rooms to let , a bed or board ac
cording to one's means.
"Madame , " she asked an old woman ,
"please tell mo the way to the grotto ? "
Not oven answering , the woman offered a
cheap room. "Kvery house Is full. You will
find nothing at the hot Is. You might , per-
Iiaps , get something to eat , but not a hole to
Bleep In. "
To eat , to Bleep. Ah , God ! could Mmc.
Vincent even think of such things , she who
had como with only 30 sous In her purse , all
that remained after paying her expenses.
"Madame , please show mo tbo way to the
grotto. "
Among the women who were crying their
wares there was one , a largo , handsome girl ,
dressed like a smart nmlil , very neat and
with clean hands. She slightly shrugged her
nhouldcra , and as a priest went by with his
broad chest and rubicund face she dashed
nfter him , offering a furnished room , fol
lowing him and whispering In his Ear ,
"Here , " another woman moved by pity
said at last , "go down that road , turn to
your right and you will come to the grotto. "
Inside the station on the landing platform
the bustle ctlll continued , whllo the well
pilgrims and those Invalids who could walk
had moved on , and thus relieved the gang
way somewhat. There still remained the
very III and those who were hard to get out
and take away , The- litter bearers ruslind
wildly about with their litters and bath
chairs In the midst of their distracting ne
cessity , not knowing at which end to begin
AH Derthaud , followed by Gerard , was passIng -
Ing and waving orders he saw two ladles and
a young girl standing under a gas Jet , and
who appeared to be waiting. He recognized
Ilaymonde. and stopped his companion sud
denly by a motion.
"Ah , mademoiselle , how delighted I am to
BOO you ! Is your mother well , and have you
bad a pleasant journey ? "
Then without waiting :
"My friend , M. Gerard Teyrelongue"
Ilaymonde looked steadily with her clear ,
smiling eyes at the young man.
"Oh , I have the pleasure of being slightly
acquainted with this gentleman. Wo have
already met at Lourdes. "
Then Gerard , thinking his cousin was
rather rushing the matter , and quite detei-
mlned not to be compromised In any sense
merely bowed with great politeness.
" \Ve are walling for mamma , " continued
the young girl. "She Is very busy , she Is
looking after some very 111 people. "
Little Mine. Desagueaux , with her pretty
blonde head and Its curly hair , declared that
It served her right , for Mme. do Jonqulere
had refused any assistance from her , and
that she was pining and burning with the
wish to be useful while Mmc. Volmar , apart ,
silent , was qulto disinterested , only trying to
peer through tlio. gloom as If looking for
Borne one ; her magnificent eyes , usually
misty and dreaming , were now all aglow.
But at this moment there was but one
thought. They were taking Mme. DIeuiafay
out of her first class compartment , and Mme.
Desagueaux could not restrain an exclama
tion of pity :
"Oh , poor woman ! "
It was Indeed distressing to see that lovely
creature- all her luxury lying among her
laces as though In a coffin , so fallen away
that she was like a mere rag that * Muttered
on the sidewalk , waiting to be carried off.
Her husband and sister were standing beside
her , both of them very elegant looking , yet
very sad , while a man servant and lady's
maid , laden down with bags and parcels ,
ran to BOO If the largo caleche that had been
ordered ahead by telegram was waiting In
the court yard. Abbo Judalno also assisted
the Invalid , and when two men raised her
D lie bent forward and bade her "au revolr , "
adding Bj > me few words that she * did not
seem to hear. Then as he watched her go
ho added , turning to Berthaud , whom he
knew :
"Poor things ! If they might only purchase
a euro ! I have told them that more precious
than any gold In the sight of the Holy Vir
gin arc the prayers of the faithful , and ,1
trust that my own prayers may have availed
to boften heaven. None the less , they are
bringing a most magnificent present , n
golden lamp for the basilica , a perfect
beauty , chased and containing precious
stones. May the Unmaculato Mary deign to
enillo on III"
Many gifts were thus brought , enormous
bouquets had Just been carried past , an
epergne , a sort of triple crown of roses
mounted on a wooden stand. And the old
priest explained that ho .Intended before
leaving to have n banner hung , the gift of
Mmc. Jousscur , Mme. DIeuiafay'a sister.
Just then Mmc. do Jonqulero came up and
perceiving Ilerthaud and Gerard : "I beg you ,
gentlemen , go to that railway carriage there ,
nearby. They need men , for tliero are three
-or four Invalids to take * down. I am In de
spair. I can do nothing. " Bowing hastily
to Raymonds , Gerard was already gene , but
Borthaud advised Mine , ffo Jonqulere to go
with her daughter and' the ladles , and not
to remain longer on the platform , swearing
there was no further need of her that lie
would attend to all and BCO that she * should
liavo her invalids In her ward at the hospi
tal within three-quarters of an hour. She
ondcd by acceding and took a carrlago with
Haymondo and Mmo. Desngeaux. At the
last moment Mmo. Volmar had disappeared ,
oa though she had yielded to a sudden Im
patience. They thought they had seen her
approach an unknown man , probably to ask
for bomfi Information. At all events , they
would meet again at the hospital.
Berthaud rejoined Gerard In front of tbo
railway carriage , just as ho was trying , as
sisted by two comrades , to get M. Sabathler
out. It was an awkward matter , for he was
very large , very heavy , and they thought ho
would never bo able to isqucezo through the
door of the compartment. Ho had got In ,
liowovcr. Two more letter carriers went
vtQuml to the other door and they finally suc
ceeded In getting htm out on the sidewalk.
Day was breaking , a little faint light , and
the station platform presented a lamentable
appearance with all the surroundings of the
Improvised ambulances. La Grlvotte , faint
ing already , was lying there on a mattress
Waiting for a litter ; while they had been
obliged to prop Mmo. Votu up against a
limp post In such a bad turn and suffering
BO fearfully that they dared not touch her.
Hospital aldei with gloved hands pushed
their little wagons with difficulty , that con
tained poor old women with ancient baskets
under their feet ; yet others could not get
by at all with their Utters where stiff bodies
were jftretched sad , dumb bodies , with suf
fering eyes , and the Inllrm. However , the
crippled ones seemed to get along a lama
young priest ; a llttlo boy with his crutches ,
hunchbacked and one leg off , dragged him-
colt like a guomo among the groups. A cir
cle had formed round a man who was bent In
two , twisted by paralysis to such a state
that they were obliged to carry htm thus
doubled In a chair upside down , his head
and feet at the bottom. It looked as though
it would take hours to vacate the platform.
The confusion was at Its height when the
itatlou master , ruihlng out , cried :
"The Bayonne express u signaled. Hurry ,
Iturry ; you have only three minutes ! "
Father Fourcade , who had remained In
the crowd on the arm or Dr. Bonamy , with
a merry manner that encouraged the Inva
lids , beckoned to Berthaud , and isld :
"Ttiko them all out first , then you will be
able to get them a * ay , "
This advlso wa most wise , and they got
everything down on tha platform. Only
Maria cow remained tit the railway carriage ,
waiting patiently. At last M , de Guer-
iialnt and Pierre had reappeared with the two
[ xilrs of wheels , and Pierre ) took , the young
? lrl out In great haste , assisted only by
Gerard. She was a * light as a winged-bird ,
and the box atone caused them some bother.
Finally the men placed It firmly on the
wheels , that were bolted firmly on. Had It
not been for the Interffnce of the crowd
Pierre could have trundled Marie off at
once. "Hurry , hurry , " repeated the station
master furiously.
He , too , was aiding by giving a helping-
hand , lifting the feet of some Invalid to get
him out more quickly. Ho also pushed nlong
the bath chairs that clattered up the edge of
( he sidewalk. But In a second class carrlago
a woman , the very last to get out , had Just
been seized with a nervous attack. She
screamed , she threw herself about no ono
could touch her at that tlmo. And the ex
press would soon arrive. That was sig
naled by the uninterrupted ringing of the
electric bell. It had to be decided at once
to close the door and run the train off to the
side track , where It would remain made up
for three days until It again carried back Its
freight of pilgrims and Invalids. As It
moved off the wretched screamer might still
bo heard , who with a nun bad alone- re
mained In It , the cries becoming fainter and
fainter , Ilka those of a weak child that ends
In being comforted. "Good God ! " murmured
the station master. "It was about time. "
The Bayonne express came by , Indeed , at
full speed , passing Ilko a streak of lightning
along the pitiful platform , where was
dragged the sorrowful misery of on out
pouring from a hospital. The bath chairs ,
the litters were- shaken by the train , but
there was no accident , for the train hands
wore watching and sending back from the
tracks the frightened flocks that were still
struggling to pass out. Elsewhere circula
tion was resumed. The litter bearers finally
succeeded In transporting the lit people with
a prudent slowness.
Little by little daylight Increased , a clear
dawn whitened the sky and reflected back
on the earth , still dark. One could begin
to sec men and people distinctly.
"No , presently , " repeated Marie to Pierre ,
"Let us wait till the press Is somewhat
over. " - .
And she Interested herself In looking at a
man of about CO years , of military aspect ,
who was walking about among the Invalids.
Ills square head and white hair ,
clo.'cly cropped , would have still given
him a marital air. If he had not
dragged his left foot , that he turned
In every step. He leaned heavily with his
left hand on a large cane. M. Saba-
thler , who had been here for six years , per
ceived him and called : "Ah ! Is It you , Com
mandant ? "
Perhaps his name was Commandant , but
as he was decorated and wore a large red
ribbon , perhaps ho was designated thus on
account of his decoration , although he was
only a simple knight. No one knew his
precise history , and he doubtless still had
a family somewhere children perhaps but
these things had always been vague and
mysterious. For three years he was on duty
at the station to oversee the coaches a
simple occupation , a modest situation given
as a great favor and that permitted him to
live perfectly happy. Stricken by a first at
tack of apoplexy when 55. he had a second
three years later that had slightly paralyzed
his left side. Now he was waiting for the
third with an air of absolute tranqulllty. As
ho expressed It ho was at the mercy of
death , tonight , tomorrow , that very moment.
He was well'known all over Lourdes for his
mania nt the tlmo of the pilgrimages of going
upon the arrival of each train , dragging his
foot and leaning on his cane , to be surprised
by and reproach the invalids with the de
sire they signified to be cured. Thus , for
three years ho had seen M. Sabathler , and
all his rage fell on him.
'How Is this ? You again ? Do you , then ,
wish to llvo this execrable llfo ? But , damn It ,
go home and die peacefully In you own bed !
Is not that the best thing In the. world ? "
M. Sabathler laughed , without feeling an
noyed , though suffering greatly from the
rough manner they had been obliged to get
him out of the railway carriage.
"No , no ; I would rather be cured. "
"Cured ! Cured ! They all want the same.
They come for hundreds of miles , howling
with pain , to bo cured , that they may begin
again all the Ills , all the pains. Look hero ,
sir. At your age , with your worn out body ,
you would bo well caught If your Holy Virgin
did give you back your legs ! What would
you do with them ? While you are about It ,
die at once , eh ! That Is real happiness ! "
And he said this not as a believer who
aspired to the delicious rewards In another
life , but as a worn out man who expected
to fall Into oblivion In the eternal peace of
being no more forever.
Whllo M. Sabathler gayly shrugged his
shoulders , as If talking to a child , Abbo Ju
dalno , who had returned to find his banner ,
stopped In passing to scold the commandant
gently , for he , too , was acquainted with him.
"Do not blaspheme , my dear friend ; you
offend God when you refuse life and do not
love health. If you had listened to mo your
self you would already have asked the Holy
Virgin to cure your limb. "
The commandant then got angry.
"My leg It Is useless. I am satisfied about
that. And when death does come , let that
be the end forever. When the time comes
tn die one Just turns to the wall and dies
that Is all. "
But the old priest Interrupted him. He
pointed to Marie , who lay stretched In her
box listening to them.
"You would send back all our Invalids to
die at home , even that young lady , would
you not ? .She is still young and anxious to
live. "
Marie opened her large eyes In her ardent
desire to bo , to take part In this world , and
the commandant , who had approached , looked
at her. Seized with a sudden and profound
emotion that made his voice tremble , he
said : "If mademoiselle Is cured , I also wish
for her another miracle , that of being
happy. " And he walked on In hlH role of
Incensed philosopher. In the midst of the
Invalids , dragging his foot and striking the
flagstones with the formic of his great stick.
Llttlo by little the platform was cleared.
They had carried off Mine. Vetu and La Grl
votte ; Gerard had taken M. Sabathler In a
bath chair , whllo Baron Sulre and Berthaud
were already giving their orders about the
green train that was expected. Marie only
remained , and Pierre guarded her Jealously.
But he had got ready and had dragged her
Into the court yard when they noticed thnt
but a moment since M. do Guersalnt had
disappeared. Almost Immediately they saw
him talking with Abbo des Hcrmolses , whose
acquaintance he had just made. A mutual
admiration for nature had drawn them to
gether. Day had dawned. The neighboring
mountains stood forth In all their majesty ,
and M. de Guersalnt gave cries of delight.
"What a land , sir. For thirty years I have
boon most anxious to'-VlsU this range of Gav-
arlne. But It Is stillrar"&way ' , and so dear
that I surely can never make the excursion. "
"You are mistaken , sir. Nothing 1s easier.
If several Join together the expense Is mod-
crate. And this year specially I am anxious
to go again , so that It you will be one of
"
us
"How so , sir ? Wo will talk It over again.
A thousand thanks. "
Ills daughter called him , and ho rejoined
them after exchanging cordial bows. Pierre
had decided that he would drag Marie to the
hospital , to spare her the pain of getting Into
another vehicle. Omnibuses , landaus , little
carts were already returning , and again fill
ing the court yard waiting for the next train ,
and he had some trouble to get Into the road
with the little carriage , whose two wheels
sank to their hubs In the mud. The police
men who maintained order growled against
the nasty mess that covered their boots.
Only the runners , both old and young , who
had rooms to let , defied the filth that they
crossed In every sense In the pursuit of pil
grims as they came out of the station.
As the carrlago rolled moro easily on the
slanting road Marie suddenly aiked M , de
Guersalnt , who walked beside her :
"Father , what day Is this ? "
"Saturday , my darling. "
"True , It Is Saturday , the day of the Holy
Virgin. Will It bo today that she will euro
me ? "
And Just behind her , on a covered litter ,
two porter * were furtively carrying the
corpse of a man that they were taking to
the end of a room belonging to the coach
service , behind the shadows of the barrels ,
eventually to bury him In tome secret place
that would be designated by Father Four-
cade.
( To be continued next Sunday. )
Ono wort describe * It. "perfection. " We
refer to UoWUl'i Witch Uaiel Salve , cures
pile * . _
English dimities are popularly used this
year for morning gowns. This fabric la In
expensive , pretty , coo ) looking , and wears
well.
Japanese waib silks are In constant de
mand.
HOME OF THE CANTASBACR
A Mo'rning's Shoot that Will Live In Memory
as Long as Life Lasts.
SIMERALTRIES TO BURN UP THE ISLAND
A Double on Mnlliiril * Ono of Ilex's r/ivorlto
TrlcUt The White ( looM'-ltiirntlng of
Iho btorm ntiil u Hun for
tlio JEiuifh ,
UTIFULLY , AT
Hamilton's com
mand , Ilex brought
In both geese , one
after the other , and
we had barely got
settled In our blinds
when a flock of
snow gei'se , flying
high , came over.
Ed. said they were
too high , but he was
too late. The law
yer was already
upon his feet , and
had the birds been
skimming the sky ,
he couldn't have
been restrained from pulling the trigger.
Imagine our surprise then , when after he had
poured both barrels Into them , and they had
well passed over our blinds , one let loose and
came whirling and gyrating to the water.
It was a chance shot and a long one , but
the blrj was as dead as the proverbial mack
erel when he struck the water.
"Who ever said I couldn't kill geese was
mistaken , that's all. Did you ever see a
prettier shot ? " ejaculated the barrister , as
Hex hauled the dead geese up lute the yel
low grass.
"Mark ! " It was a bunch of canvas , and
they came hurtling down the wind with tre
mendous velocity. I took the lead , Hamilton
the middle , according to our positions , and
Slmeral the rear. Wo all downed our birds ,
mine the hen and Ed and Billy's drakes.
Mlno was killed dead , but the other two
were but wing tipped. Hamilton shot his
over Instantcr , but the lawyer let his get
away from him.
Another bunch came In almost Immedi
ately , but they swung out rather far. We ,
heard the shot rattle against their sides ,
but they were a hard crowd and continued
on their way toward the hyperborean re
gions.
Again , had we hardly recovered from our
chagrin , when a flock of canvas , embracing
probably sixty birds , came straight Into us.
We waited until they dropped their bluish
legs to light among their wooden prototypes ,
when we all arose and fired together. A
half-dozen birds , fell , while a seventh , who
had rjoslved some stray shot In the fusllade ,
swerved from the main bunch as they tore
straight away and , flying back of us , crossed
the Intervening water , went over the wagon
and fell on the hillside fully a mile away.
"He's all right we'll get 'im tonight , "
remarked Hamilton , confidently , "but if you
say so , I'll fceud Rex after him now. He'll get
him all right , but he won't bring him here. "
"What will he do with him ? " I inquired.
"He'll hldo him somewhere nar the
wagon , then when we go in , he'll bring htm
forth. That's an old trick of his , and he
likes to play It. We'll watch him. Go get
him. Hex ! "
All this time the dog had ben half
crouching , half startding in his grassy lair
with his hazel eyes fastened Intently on the
distant hillside , but at his master's man
date ho sprang eagerly away , ran along the
shall-covcred shore of the" Island to the far
thest inland point , then plunged Into the
lake.
lake.At
At this juncture Hamilton's ever restless
eyes had discovered a flock of canvas cir
cling over the wapatoo beds across the lake to
the northeast. .He brought his caller Into
requisition and after a moment's shrill
squawking succeeded In attracting their at
tention and they quickly started to coma
over. They were not long In getting their
eyes on the decoys , but shied past Just as
we thought they were , going to come In and
deflected to the left. They made a circle
of a mile or more , then came bearing down
upon us again. As they approached Ed gave
a running , clucking call. The birds turned
and came swiftly on suspctlngly toward us.
Wo eaw that they were extremely timid
and tacitly agreed upon taking a long chance.
Sure enough , when within possibly fifty
yards of the blinds , they "dished , " with a
sibilant swish , and began to go up at the
rate of a mlle a half-minute and , feeling
that they were off and that this was our
only chance , we jumped to our feet and
emptied our Lefevers. To our utter aston-
Ishmcmt four birds fell , all killed clean.
"There goes Rex ; " Interrupted Hamilton ,
and turning wo saw the dog climbing up the
west bank of the lake.
Once upon solid ground he gave himself
n vigorous shaking , rolled over on the grass
a time or two , then struck oft for the
hillside where wo know our canvasback had
fallen. Ho was not long In reaching the
place and the next we saw of him he was on
his way back to where the wagon stood , and
from the high attitude of his noble head
and his proud step , we knew what ho bore
In his mouth. It was the dead eanvasback.
Reaching the wagon he deposited his prize
on the ground , gazed Intently over in our di
rection a moment , then picking It up he
trotted leisurely off among the dead yucca
and cactus plants , soon losing himself from
sight. Ten minutes later he appeared on
tlio lake shore and stood gazing across at
us , as If to say : "I'll surprise you fellows In
the evening with an extra duck. "
A shrill whlstlo from Ed , and the dog
once more plunged Into the restless waters ,
and a short tlmo after waa curled up In the
grass back of our blind again.
' .Mark ! " to the north ! mallards ! " came the
same old electrifying admonition from Ham
ilton , and down the lake wo saw them
coming , a single pair. The wind was assist
ing them considerably , and It required but
a few seconds to bring them In. As they
caught sight of the decoys their natural
wariness and caution returned to them and
they began to beat upward as If for a bet
ter view. Everything seemed satisfactory
and down they came plump In our faces , the
old drake , with green velvet head stretched
far out , leading his mottled consort by a
foot or two.
'There's an easy double , Sandy , " whis
pered Hamilton , "you take them and show
Ulll and I what you can do. "
All right , " I responded , "I'll show you
how I always do It , " and as the two birds
were cupping their wings and dropped their
orange pillars , I arose for the shot.
The drake was evidently extremely sus
picious , and. In an almost perfectly upright
position , ho was hovering almost station
ary over the decoys , with his glossy chest
nut breastplate and ashen belly staring me
In the face , while the hen was timorously
fluttering just behind. With the most supreme
premo confidence In my skill I banged away
without hardly aiming , and thinking , of
course , that he was good as dead , I swung
off and onto the hen , who had wheeled an If
on a pivot , and with distraught squawks was
cutting her way through space with all the
energy of her sturdy pinions. Dang ! went
the other barrel , and to my Inexpressible
disgust and humiliation I saw both birds
making good their escape , the old drake
spltefuly emitting that aggravating "mamph !
mamph ! mamph" as he dove , round and
joined his mate In her mad flight across the
lake.
lake.A
A downy feather or two was being buffeted
hither and thither by the stiffening wind ,
and that was all.
I had scored a beautiful double miss !
The lawyer chuckled In Uendtsh glco , but
Hamilton was moro considerate. He smiled
In a peculiar way , of course , but as a sur-
ceasu ( or my sorrow , iald :
"Well , sir. If I have done that once , I've
done It 1,000 times , In my experience. The
best shot on earth don't know just when he
Is going to drop a tough old mallard. They
suem to get out of the most Impossible situ
ations sometimes. You , see , you were too
anxious to make a double , so you missed
both. You shot under both birds , but a few
shots whistled through the old drake's tall
feathers. Bet you couldn't do that , again In
twenty trials. "
I hadn't a word to say , I simply slipped
In n couple of more shells In a sort of per
functory way , and squatted down In my
hole , which I mentally wished , just then ,
was a few dozen ( eet deeper , for I know the
disciple of Blackntono would have an erup
tion sooner or later.
Sure enough , after a moment' * silence , bro *
ken only by the snap of a match as the law
yer lit his old brlarwood , and It camp.
'How'd you come to do It. Orls ? Looked tome
mo as If I could have killed both of 'cm
with a base ball bat they were so close.
But you remember what I told you about
pulling a lltllo high "
'You tell me anything ? " I Interrupted
Bavagcly"not In o hundred years , and I'll
bet you $50 you can't prove you're alive now.
You tell mo how to hold on a duck you
make me sick , "
"Canvasback ! "
While Kd was enjoying this little by-play ,
he had kept his visual organs at work , and
It was his precautionary exclamation that
cut short a colloquy that might have grown
Incandescent. '
„
The birds were coming down the lake from
the north , an Immcnsd horde of them , and
In our anticipatory enthusiasm Billy and I
gladly turned from thombjcct of my egre
gious fiasco to the sport'uhcad.
Scratch !
That was Simeral lighting that odlfer-
ous old pipe of his , Think of n true sports
man toying with the filthy weed In such a
supreme moment. Lighting his plpo with
one hundred royal canvdspack. on swift wing ,
bearing down upon him ! Can sucha thing bo
true ? , ,
'We'll knock out a dozen this time they
want to light bo careftll don't "
Scratch !
Another match. , ,
The birds had now dropped low over the
water and were slowing up preparatory to
sliding Into Its cooling depths. In another
moment they will have settled. What a
flock the like I had never seen before.
Every nerve was tingling , every muscle ,
every fiber quivering with the keenest de
light , such as only sportsmen know under
such circumstances.
Ed and I crouched like Images hewn from
stone. Moveless as death , we were waitIng -
Ing until the advance couriers ot the approaching
preaching myriad had breasted the crest of
the restless lake , when suddenly we were
startled to our feet by a maniacal shrl&k ,
and glancing whence came this eldritch
sound we saw Slmeral executing a dance ,
compared with which the ghost dance of
the wild and untutored Sioux would have
been tame and listless Indeed.
One of the cost-aside matches had Ignited
the exuberant growth of heavy pampas
grass with which his blind was encom
passed , and It was blazing furiously all about
him. But ho was game , and he fought Its
advancement with horolc vigor , 'kicking ' ,
stamping and threshing about like a huge llvo
lobster In a kettle ot boiling water. Rex
was frantic , too , and to the din he added
his sharp yelps , as ho leaped about the fiery
circle. In another moment Muskrat Island
would have been a sea of roaring , lurid
flame , for Its surface Was fairly matted with
a rank growth of grass , flags and reeds , dry
as tinder and as Inflammable as oil. But
Hamilton and I were quickly to the rescue.
Seizing the gunny sacks In which we car
ried the decoys , we attacked the spreading
flames with all our energies , and soon had
the satisfaction of seeing the last spark ex
tinguished.
The canvasbacks well , we never saw or
heard of that flock again , and judging from
our own fright and excitement , it Is not
Improbable to suppose that they are going
yet.
yet."Now I hope , " I exclaimed Irascibly , as I
turned upon the crestfallen lawyer , "that
you will throw that damned old plpo of
yours in the lake. I never was In a blind
with you In my life but what you were con
tinually lighting that old cesspot , and you
know I have told you a hundred times
that when you are shooting ducks It Is no
tlmo to smoke ! "
"When you are shooting ducks , " he got
back , with a good deal of unction , "I should
think you'd smoke all the time It will
steady your nerves ! "
Then without another word he crawled
back In his hole , brushed the grassy em
bers from his hunting jacket and got down
to business , for five minutes later the air
seemed fairly alive with canvasbacks and
redheads. It was a famous flight , and we
did famous work , knocking the feathered
beauties right and left , until'Rex had the
whole end of the Island fairly covered wltlr
them.
At this Inauspicious juncture the storm
that had been gathering and threatening
all morning broke upon us. The distant
sandhills mingled grayly , and then amidst
a fine , nasty , driving mist , the whole per
spective wus swallowed up. The lake
blackened , and the shadowy brakes of re , d
and rush melted away ; the further shore
line disappeared in the ; 'misty mingle , and
although the rain had' ' not yet set In In all
Its culminating fury , wq were already shiv
ering and drenched to "the skin. Soon ,
with a rush , the storm : wa ? upon us. The
lake and plain , so soft'anil tender and pleas
ing to the fancy In tho"1 early morning sun
shine , became , in a Waft of Boreas' wand ,
reeking with wet and cold. Then there
was a sudden shifting of the clouds , and
hope arose In our swelling hearts ; to the
magic of sunshine the misty curtain lifted
and there was an Instantaneous glitter all
about. Then It came again , the black and
howling tempest , with spits of snow , cn-
fjulflng wrathful lake , "swaying reeds and
fnnyning hills , and changing again Into
jewel work under the struggling rays of the
sun. For an hour there was a quick in
terweaving of rain and snow , darkness and
sunlight , and such another mysterious storm
I never encountered before. Foggy shafts
would streak the scene , then blue eyes
would open In the ragged clouds. The ar
cades of water , mist and shadow would
glow , darken , be masked In the storm , and
flash again Into gold. But finally all this
1 Interesting phenomena came to an end.
The face of all nature shrunk as within
some murky horror. The sky grew blacker
and the lake more wrathful , while the wind
came down like blades of steel. The rain
grew fiercer and finer , and before we could
realize It , It had merged Into a driving , blind
ing sheet of stinging particles of snow , which
went howling and shrieking across the lake
as If the world was about to come to an end.
It was beyond the endurance of the most
Indomitable sportsman to withstand the
furies of such a blast , and we were boon
battling with the angry waves In our efforts
to reach the shore. But Hamilton's llttlo
craft was as staunch as boat over was , and
after a quarter of an hour of almojt super
human effort we reached the bank.
"It Is a blizzard , boys the worst of the
year ! " exclaimed Ed ns we crowded Into
our seats In the wagon , "we must make the
ranch with no more fooling. I know what
this means ! "
An hour later wo were home , yet It was a
close call , for the blizzard raged as blizzard
seldom raged before. But once within
that happy sod lodge , with the warmth ot a
great fire filling every nook nnd cranny ,
with the party all In , dogs , too , all casting
that social spell so congenial to our natures ,
restored the equilibrium of our spirits. The
gloom without found no entrance there.
The feeling of Isolation , of cold and fear
fled. We were again of the family of man.
SANDY QRISWOLU.
ICnilloulu'it 1'opiilitrlty.
Washington I'ost.
Although M. Zola cannot win his way
Into that compact and complacent little
mutual admiration society known as the
French academy , he seems to have cap
tured popular admiration to an ojctent of
which the members of tiat ! galaxy have
never so much as dreamed. When he ap
peared at the Trocadero on Thursday last
to lecture for the benefit of a charity fund ,
ho was made the object of an ovation ot
extraordinary fervor and enthusiasm. The
following- account , taken from the Herald's
European edition of the 27th of April , Is
of Interest :
"In the cause of charity M. Umllo Zola
made his debut on the public platform today ,
when he gave what Is described on tbo
bills as a lecture , of . 'conference , ' at the
Trocadero , In aid of j tbe , pension fund of
the Soclete des Gcnsile Lcttrcs. The
Immense bull was crowded , fully 2,000 being
present , as all Paris ) talking about his
now work , 'Lourdes , ' which was announced
to bo the subject of t R reading.
"M. Zola's appearanc.0 was greeted with
a burst ot long and loud applause ,
" 'I crave your Indulgence , ' said M. Zola ,
'as this 1s my first appearance before BO
largo an audience , aifiLas I am Infinitely
troubled. ' , Jf
"He went on to explain why he was on
the platform. Ho haiKibeen told that bis
assistance would be a $ attraction. He had
raised many objcctlonyfrhc was unaccus
tomed to public spea ) < W. his 'ridiculous
timidity , ' etc. but au > vrre mot by the
response , 'It Is for qur poor , ' and he had
consented. AH writers unfortunately , did
not l.ecoino millionaire/ , and he had not
the id to refuse a , request pleaded on
such grounds , , ,
" 'I am not a musician , not an actor only
a novelist , and I can do nothing but read
you some selections from my now book ,
"Lourdes. " '
"M. Zola then sat down at the table on
the ptntform and read some short selections ,
the first dealing with Bernadette Soublroua *
childhood , the second with the first appari
tion , the third with the effect of the np-
parltlonn on the people of the Lourdes dis
trict.
"Tho audience listened with most profound
Interest and In the deepest silence to the
end , when there ensued n perfect 'storm of
applause and cheering , with waving of hand
kerchiefs , such as Is rarely experienced with
a French audience. M. Zola had to como
forward thrlco In response. He bowed with
quiet dignity , like a man conscious of bin
own value.
"If today's audience was representative of
opinion In 1'ranee generally and there Is
very little doubt that such Is the case there
Is no man In the country of whom the
French are more proud. "
Kola deals with facts , with truth , with
the problems of real life. His pictures ,
splendid and somber , gracious and beauti
ful , terrible and tragic , as the cose may be ,
are pictures of familiar things. The pas
j sions he portrays and plays upon are the
passions which every day men and women
have experienced. Ho Is In touch with hu
manity and the secret of his spell Is sym
pathy. The members of the Academy who
refuse him a welcome to their brotherhood
cannot harm Zola or weaken his hold upon
mankind ; they can only harm themselves
by slighting him. Ho will live when they
are forgotten. They are "Immortals" by
favor. He Is Immortal by the divine right
of genius and achievements.
.11.1 .S.S/1 ril Utii : TTS.
The Boston Globe having said the other
day that Massachusetts would not rhyme ,
a patriotic Hay State man naked It what Is
the matter with the following :
Tune "Amorion , "
All hnll to thco old Muss
AchUFCtts. you're the lass
Of whom we sins.
We love thy watei's slosh.
Waters whencodlfeh splosh
Fragrant as liowers , b'gosb.
In early spring.
To thee , dear Masschu
Setts , we will e'er be true ,
Only to thee.
What though thy cobblestones
Call forth our Highs nnd groans ,
Still i-ncb thy praise Intones ,
Thou , great and free.
Let music swell Massa
chusetts , botb night and day ,
'Twon't be enough
We'll let thy codfish play
Gayly In your old bay.
And shout thy glory aye.
For you're the stuff !
The National Educational association , with
Hon. A. G. Lane , superintendent public
schools. Chicago , president ; Hon. J. M.
Greenwood , superintendent public schools
Kansas City , treasurer ; Hon. Irwln Shepard -
ard , president state normal school , Wlnona ,
Minn. , secretary , and Hon. N. A. Calkins ,
assistant superintendent public schools. New
York , chairman board , of trustees , will hold
Its 1894 meeting nt Asbury Park , N. J. , July
C to 13 , inclusive.
DeWltt's Witch Hazel Salvo cures plies.
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