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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (May 19, 1895)
18 TIEB OMAIIA DAILY JjK.j/l / ; SUNDAY , MAY 19 , 18J)5. PETE'S RABBIT PLANTATION. ) . I 5 IT Mystery of a Reservation That Brought- Freedom T and Riches to a Slave. 2 7 BY MAUIAK 3 ( CopyrlRht , 1803. ) Or/6 / bright December afternoon In the year 1858 Pete and Jim were out rabbit hunting In the plncy woodsof Arkansas. Pete was the likeliest young negro on the plantation and Jim wa the smartest cur dog. Pete , being a faltl.ful darky , was allowed consider able liberty , and oven at times honored by the loan of Mars John's gun. As for Jltn , he had his own way In everything , anil when ever Pete , grinning from ear to ear , shoul dered the coveted gun and started off for the woods the dog always had a mind to go u-hnnting too. Sooner or later they were always success ful , never falling to bring back enough birds , rabbits or squirrels to win a smllo from Mars John's wlfo and the promise of another hunt from the overseer himself. This afternoon the companions had wan dered far over the pine straw , through thick ets and along branches , before Jim announce ; ! by a thrill bark that ho nail started a rabbit from Its grassy covert. The dog bounded after the bouncing rabbit and'Pete followed as fast as his long legs could carry him. The evergreen needles of the pines were glancing overhead , but the dead leaves had fallen Irom black-jack and gum bu.'lics , so that I'olo could eoe a long distance between the straight pine stem ? . Hut by some ' mls- clianco his usually nimble feet were 'caught In the meshes of a dewberry vine and ho fell flat Just as the rabbit disappeared In the hol low brink of a fallen plno , and had It not been for Jim neither rabbit nor fortune would over have been found by him. Jim , h6wcver , had been close to the bob bing trail of the hare and was half way Into the log himself , the visible halt ot his body quivering ultlf excitement and his tall wav ing frantic signs to Pete that he was keeping a death watch on the rabbit , while from with in the hollow tree arose his shrill though Binolhercd Importunities to the doomed beast It represented. " Pete , Instantly on his feet again , came running with cocked gun , but seeing that the rabbit was sure game , like the prudent dar key that he was , he determined to save his shot and secure his game by a simpler method. Ho cut the straight branch of a holly tree , stripped off the prickly leaves and sharpened ono end of the primitive weapon. Then ho pulled Jim from the hole , and , kneeling down , peered Into the hollow tree. The aperture was quite dark , but hardly an arm's length within he perceived n whltlF'i glitter which he naturally took to be ' .10 rabbit. Without a moment's hesitation he thrust In his homey hand to grapple with the creature , nut to his surprise. instead ot meeting with soft fur and sharp teeth , his hand struck a sub stance of considerable hardness that gave forth a sharp mctallls jingle. Instinctively his hands closed on the object f and he drew It forth. It was a stout canvas bag of no great size , but of considerable weight , containing shifting metal bits that struck musically together as Pete turned the bag over and over again In his hands. "Lordy ? " muttered Pete , his teeth chatterIng - Ing end his face turning gray with fright , "dls yea am money , sho. " Now Pete had no Intimate knowledge of money. Indeed , ho 4iad' ' never owned a plca- yuno In his life , but ho had wen money and ho had handled It , and ho could gueis some thing ol Its value from Its very scarcity , and ho knew , moreover , that he himself was val ued at | 2,000. The nrst thought that occurred to the startled darky was that ho had found the hoarding place ot some white man , perhaps the overseer himself , and ho looked sharply through the woods to make sure that ho was not observed. He was about to thrust the money back Into the trco and run away , but Jim's shrill In sistence and his own hunter's Instinct Im pelled him to secure the rabbit. To do this was the work of a short moment. Then hav ing pushed the bag to where ne- had found It ho took to his heels. II. Pete did not return Immediately to the plantation. Ho was too agitated by his dis covery to dare to look a whlto man In the face. Ho wandered about the woods until he liad treed a squirrel and his shaken wits had been somewhat composed by the natural excitement of securing It. However , the darky was so disturbed by the consclousnosH ot his secrets that the marks of trouble wcro on his face when ho wont to the great house to put up the gun and present the rabbit and the squirrel to the overseer's wlfo. Miss Sally , bolng a woman of discernment as well as of great good nature , added an extra dlmplo to her genial face and aeked choorlly : "What alls you , Pete ? Do you want a hot toddy ? " "No , thankee , Miss Sally , " replied Pete , shitting his eyes and hanging his head. "You look so down In the mouth and un natural like , I 'lowed you might be sick , " said the good woman. Pete raised his eyes and looked at her wist fully. Ho had a half notion to confide In her then and there , but some undefined fear made him hesitate and he shrunk away more with the air of a thief than a lucky fortune finder , He thought the matter all over In the darkness ot his cabin that night , and de cided to wall and watch. If anyone should go to the hollow tree , why , he would shun that part of the woods as If It were haunted , but If , on the contrary , nobody claimed the treasure , then It was his , sure. Ills ! A throb of emotion shook the strong frame of 'the black man as the new Idea entered his mind. Never In his life had he owned a thing , not even the Jack knife that he car ried In his pocket. His absolute depend ence , the fact that he himself and all that pertained to him belonged to the master , was so Inbred In his nature and so em phasized by training that the thought ot pos session and of such untold wealth was a tremendous shock to him. "Howsomever , I reckon hit's dat nway. It 'taint nobody elscs , an' nobody carn't get PETE STItUCK 1113 MASTBIt. hit 'thout I Rives hit to 'em , den obcote hit's mine. Mine ! mine ! " he muttered over and over to himself. III. The next day Pete went about his work In a strange state of ecstaey that called down upon him the ralllerr of the other negross , and every now and then his lips would move In silent repetition of the precious words : Out. although the dignity ot possession waxed largo within him , Pete did not gain courage to disturb the treasure for two long weeks. He watched the hollow pine tree with zealous eyes , haunting the region by day and by night , whenever ho could leave the planta tion without exciting suspicion , but nelthei trodden plno at raw nor broken burr nor bended grass Indicated to his keen gaze the coming or going of any human creature. One moonlight night , having stolen forth unobserved ( rout the plantation , he crept tc the tree , and attar many gtsncea about , again drew forth the heavy bat. Seated In the Ions tJudow of a pine , he cut the string ana Ihrust Ills band among the cold , ImrJ coins. Then , loaning forward , ho let the moonlight play upon the glittering wealth. The touch nnd the sight of the money over came all ffar and tcruples. With a chuckle of delight he thrust the precious bag under his Jacket and stole back to the cabin , where he hid It on a beam under the loose plank floor. floor.His His strange moods were the wonder of the oilier dnrkys. "I 'clars to goodness , Pete , dar ain't no countln' on yo' doao days. Sometlmo yo' stalks about wld yo' head up In do air lak yo 'la Lord of all creatures , an' doan wan' to speak to common folktca. Odder days yo' dos sneaks crroun' lak a thluf an ! dasn't III' yo' eyes to look yo' olc frlen's In do face. Wat ails yo' Is mo' dan dls nlggah ken nick out. " "I reckon yo' all boun' ter mek up yo' mln's 'bout dat curiosity 'thout any he'p from mo , Aunt Jane , fo' I doan know \\at yo' Is talkln' 'bout , " retorted Peto. Now , the hope that buoyed tip Pete on one day was the Intoxicating Idt-a that since the money was his his he might use It to buy his freedom. He could not count the money , but lie had handled It over and over , and he knew that there was a great deal enough , ho believed , to make him a free man. On the other hand , the burden that bowed him down In other days was the haunting fear that ho would bo found secreting this fabulous treasure , that It would be taken from him and that he would receive dire punishment. Now that Aunt Jane had betray3d the curiosity of the negroes he knew that there would be no rest' In the quarters until his secret had been ferreted out and betrayed. He went on his way to the great house with his load of light wood , his face drawn with fear and his eyes full of dread and per plexity. IV. The overseer's wife was standing "in a doorway , and she watched Pete amiably while he piled the wqod on the ed s of tlfc gallery. Pete always selscted the stralght- cst and fattest logs for her fireplace , and she appreciated the distinction. Had he been a great , faithful dog , sh ; would have patted his woolly head and spoken kind words to him , but as ho was only a nigger , apt to bo spoiled by too much attention , she dlscretly held her peace and refrained from thankhig him , Pete , hoVeVer , needed no words to assure him that she was .his friend , Indeed , his oje friend In the world. He looked Into her kind face with twinkling eyes and . denly made up his mind to do what he had decided for and against a dozen times- tell her his secret and ask her advice. Ac cordingly , he doffed his ragged cap and mounted the gallery steps. "Well , Pete ? " she said , encouragingly. "Isa got somefln In my mln' wat I wants to ax yo' 'about , Miss Sally , ef yo' ain't got no 'jectlons to llstenln' at me , " stammered Pete. "Certainly not , boy. Speak right out. " Pete hesitated and looked about uneasily. "Hit's a secret , cf yo' doan' mln' . Miss Sally. " "Oh , " said Miss Sally , glancing at the curious-eyed darkeys who , on one pretext or another , wcro loitering near. "Just fetch an armful of that wood Into my room , Pete , and build me a good flre , " she ordered In a loud and matter of fact lone. Then , turning upon the other negroes , she cried sharply : "What do you shiftless niggers mean by loadng around here ? Oo about your business this minute or I'll call up Mars' John and have you all whipped within an Inch of your lives. " Pete carried the wood Into the room , nnd when Miss Sally had followed and closed the door ho revealed his discovery In a half fear ful whisper. Miss Sally was amazed at the marvellous story. "Pete , you must never breathe a word of this to another living soul , " was her first solemn Injunction. "That money ' yours , I reckon , but If you want to keep It , yoj'vo got to keep mighty still about It. " "Yes'm , " agreed Pote. "Hut uU do rig gers at do quarters done got scent of bomcfln mysterious , nn' dey ain't irwlne to be sutlt- fled till dey runs hit to hit's hole. " "Dear , dear , " said Sally , nervously. "If that Is the case you must bring the bag Into the house and let me hldo It for you , I reckon. I halo to do It , though. " "Yes'm , " said Pete , meekly. Then he stammered , his voice husky nnd hla words broken , for It was the first time that he had even ventured to articulate the fluttering hope that had stirred his timid heart. "I 'low how mebby I ken buy my freedom wl' dat bag ob' money. " Miss Sally started and looked at him curi ously. "If you want to 3o that , " she said , after a moment's reflection , "you're bound to tell your master all about that money , how you came by It-and all , and you'll bo running a risk a great risk , " nhe repeated Impres sively , "of losing every cent of It. " "Yes'm , " assented Pete , with bowed head. Miss Sally looked at him compassionately. "After all , " she said , considerately , "per haps that Is the safest thing for * you to do. You can take the chance , If you succeed , well and good ; If your master refuses to give you freedom and takes the money from you , why I reckon you won't be any worse off than you are now , for there's no way for you to get the good of the money , so far as I can see , without exciting suspicion. If you say so. 111 speak to Mars' John first and see what ho advises. " Pete worked his great hands nervously. Just now a greater fear ot the money than love of It was upon him. "I reckon hit's bound to git me Into trouble ef I keeps It , " he muttered uncer tainly. "I wants my freedom. Ef I can't git dat , dar ain't nufllti dat I does want no how. " "Well , then I'll speak to Mars' John , shall I ? " asked Miss Sally , encouragingly. "Yes'm , Miss Sally , I reckon. " "Youd1 better bring the money In as soon as you have a chance , " advised Miss Sally. "Yes'm. I'se boun' bring dat money lo you tonight , " said Peter , and he went back to his work" with an air of Intense relief. "Why doesn't the Idiot take his money and run , " muttered Miss Sally to herself. "I had half a mind to put the Idea Into his stupid head. " She did nothing of the sort , however , but informed her husband of the strange story as soon as he came In from the plantation. The oveneer , being a man of more sense than sentiment said at once that the money must bo turned over to his employer , Pete's master. When Pete brought the money Into the house the overseer counted the gold and the stiver coins , which were sterling United States money , and announced that there was the round sum ot 111,000 , considerably more , Pete had wit enough to know , than the sum at which ho was valued. V. The next morning , with the money In his saddla bags and Pete on an old mule , In his wake , Mars John rode to town and delivered the money to Pete's owner. He told the story ot Its discovery , stating , in accordance with the promise made to his wife , the desire of the negro to purchase his freedom. The master , who was a keen-headed north ern man. examined the coins curiously. "I shouldn't be aurprlsd , " he gald , "If this were the very money that the govern ment paid to the Indiana fur the reservation where my plantation lies. The red rascals n t knowing the value of money , probably stored It out of their way In that hollow tree. How- see what comes of that there'll be time ever , I'll advertise the money , and when we enough to talk of other things. " Time pitaed and. no claimant came for the my terlous bag. After a reasonable period of watting the matter suminonsd Pete to come to town for an Interview. "So , boy , " he began , smilingly , when the trembling negro stood before htm , "you think you're worth $11,000 , do your1 "Yes , Mara. " faltered Pete. The master looked him over critically , "A modest estimate. " he said at last , ( baking his head. "I think a heap more ot you than that. You're a flne. likely nigger , young and spry and good Matured , keen enough , too , to nnd money bagi la hollow tree * . No , no , boy , F can't let you go for that money. It's a big sam , but twlco the amount wouldn't buy you , come now , tell me what you want your fret-dom for. " The negro shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. "Don't they take good care of you down yonder ? " persisted the master. "Give you plenty to ostT" "Yes , mara. " "Work you too hard ? " "No , mars. " "Have a right easy time ot It , on the whole , don't you ? " "Yes , mars. " "Then you don't want your freedom. " "Yes , mars. " "No , you don't , you fool. You wouldn't know what to do with It It you had It. Now , listen , I'm going to do the handsome thing by you. John will let you come up to town once a wt-ek. Como right to my ofllce nnd I'll make you a present of something to spend , Here , tnko this coin from the bag to begin with. Don't bo nfra'd ' to spend It. I'll see to It that people know that you come by It honestly. " The master clinked the coin en ticingly and proffered It to the slave , with a complacent smile. But Pete withheld his hand and shrank back. "Tho money bag am all mine , Mars , " he faltered. "Yours ! " thundered the master , his smile changing to n menacing frown. "See here , you fool nigger , you don't know what you're talking about. What arc you honing fur , anyway , the world ? " "I wants my freedom , Mars , " said Pete , sullenly. "Well , KO on wanting It , " roared hla mas ter , brutally , "and go on wanting this money , tool" Ho chucked the rejected coin back Into the bag , which ho tlcJ with an energetic twitch of the string and carried toward the safe. Peter's mien suddenly changed. From a cowed darky ho straightened up a strong and determined man. The mist of abjc-ct fear that had clouded hU eyes was burned away by the fire of manhood and daring. The prick of resentment hal freed the struggling soul. With ono Impulse the Intellect burst through the veil of suppression and the man threw oil the shackles of clovory. With a quick blow of his fist Pete struck his master scnselois. Ho seized his money bag from the slackened grasp and stalked with proud and dellant step from the room. No one noticed him as ho passed through the building to the street. His was a familiar llguro and he was known as a meek and trustoJ servant. Not until afterward , when hl.J master , hav ing recovered his senses , came clamoring forlh In search of him , 'did people remember that , about an hour before , they had eccn him mount his mule nnd ride leisurely away toward the plantation. And that was the last sesn of Pete in those parts. For though they searched for him far and wldo they never could drlvo the- wily woodsman from hi , ? lurking place nor trail him far through the swamps , and , at last. It was generally supposed that he had > escaped with his fortune to the north. Ills real whereabouts , however , wao never discovered and the disappearance of the money bag re- mulny as great a mystery as Ite first appcar- anco In the hollow log. TIIK IUOLI/KI > rill-.NCH.MAN. A .Strmigti Tnlu of MndiRnscnr. Uy Ooorge Wrstley. ( Copyright , 1S95. ) Few Indcoil arc the experiences In this world that have never been duplicated. Ono of these few , however , must certainly be placed to the credit of the young Frenchman , Louis Ucrgaz , for certainly no other Indi vidual , In tills nineteenth century at least , has enjoyed the privilege of looking upon a wooden Image of himself , surrounded by wor shipers humbly kneeling before It with prayer and burnt offering. The true story of that remarkable happening runs aa fol lows : In the summer of 1818 the good ship Dido sMled from Mauritius , bound for Sumatra , with a cargo of French manufactures' ' , which were to bo used In barter for splco and coffee THE DUIINT OFFERING. with the nabobs of the Sunda Isles. After bowling alone right merrily for'a few days the veasel was becalmed , and so long did she remain In this condition that the supply of meats , fruits , chocolate , flour and other pro visions began to get low , and the passengers and orew had to be put on short allowance. Of the llvo stock there remained nothing save a patriarchal rooster , who spent most ot his time perched on the rail mourning over his devastate ! harem. Being something of a pet , his execution was delayed as long as possible , but the cravings of the passengers for fresh moat became at last so strong that sentence was passed upon him , an4 his head fell beneath the cruel hatchet of Neptune , the cook. , The Neptune was a Madagascar negro , a fairly Intelligent fellow , with , however , on amazing fondness for napping. And It Is one ot his naps that Is responsible for this story. * As the savory odor of the sizzling rooMer penetrated the ship , the hungry passengers could scarcely restrain their Impatience. Dy a sort of tacit arrangement , they had all re mained In the cabin , keeping each other In sight , lest some of them should be tempted to seize the luscious bird with violent hands. All ot a sudden their sense of umell tele graphed the alarming mesjage that all was not right , and simultaneous with this dispatch there came a cry of terror and despair from the caboose. At this all hands rushed on deck to find the unfortunate Neptune ringing his hand * In agony and affright , tor while he slumbered at his post , lo , the precious fowl had burned to a cinder. Naturally , the disappointment and anger of the passengers was very great , but It was not to be compared with that of the mate. A passionate msn at the best ot times , hun ger now converted him Into a flend. UtterIng - Ing a fearful oath , he seized a large knife and made a leap for the cowering creature before him. him."Donf "Donf kill him ! don't kill him ! " cried a sturdy young fellow , and he rushed forwsrd JuU In time to save the negro from the de scending stroke. In doing ; so , however , he re ceived a severe -wound In the wist , trom which the blood streamed copiously. The murderous mate wss seized by the crew and disarmed , and Neptune , realizing that his life was ssved , kissed and embraced the feet of bin prottctor , until he had to bs dragged awsy. That young man was one ot the passengers , and his name was Louis Bergiz. A day or two after this episode , a breeze sprang up and the Dido soon arrived at her destination. Fonr years later , LouU Bergaz happened one day to be djnlnciat an English.boarding bouse In Batavla , qpposlte him at the table were seated two carned gentlemen .who had been sent out by the British government to Inspect the countries , lying near Iho equator. His name being nentloncd , one ot the savans looked up and said : . "Who owns tlie name of Bergaz ? " "I < lo , " responded Louis. "I wonder If , youi know , " said his Inter rogator , "that yon bear the same name as a god of Madagascar ? " "Indeed , " salj Louis , milling , "I was not aware of the fatl , " . When the dinner was over , the gentleman took from his valfta it scientific Journal which contained one of hjs nrtclcs. Marking a passage , ho haaded It over to Louis , who read as follows : "If. Is a mlst.iko to believe that the Malagasys worship the devil , and that they have at Tlcntlnguii a tree consecrated crated to the Evil One. They have but ono temple , dedicated to the god Bergaz ( beer , well or source , In the Chaldean , and gaz , light , In the Malagasy tongue ) . To this divinity they are ardently devoted , nnd at stated periods they offer him the sucrlflce of a cock , as the ancient Greeks did to Aescu lapius. " "That Is very curious , " said Louis , simply , and presently the conversation turned Into another channel , Two years had passed nway , and business cares had driven the whole it flair from the young man's mind. Louis was now on lilt way to Madagascar to purchase ebony. Ills destination uas Cape St. Marie , but a fierce gale compelled the vessel to seek shelter at Slmpal , on the Avas coast. AVlillo she was undergoing repairs , Louis shouldered his gun and parted off In search of ganu- . Ho had proceeded several miles Inland when he came to the border of a thick bam boo jungle , and thwo ho beheld a number of natives prostrate before the entrance of a largo hut. They were chanting a mo notonous sort of hymn , the burden of which was the word "Bergaz , " pronounced so distinctly that It Instantly brought to his remembrance his Interview with the philoso pher In Batavla. Recovering from his surprise ho stepped forward and peered Into the temple , and there In the center of the floor stood the god , Ilergaz. One glance nt It was sulll- clcnt to convince him that ho was looking at himself In elugy. The figure was a rude representation of a man In European costume , wearing iin his head a wldo Btraw hat. lie was stand ing In the attitude of one who Intercepts a blow , and his right hand was stained with rod. The features were not exactly flattering , though In a rough way some at tempts had been made at Imitation. The dress also resembled that worn by Louis at the time of the Incident on bourd the Uldo , nn < l around the god's neck was tied n cravat , lth the Initials L. B. In one cor ner , which Louis remembered having given to Neptune , the cook. * y > s ho stood tl ore gazing on his wooden foir i > pi oecointi of pn' 'os cnmo up and entered the temple. After some minor ceremonies , they kiiullcd a lire In a son nf v-i. i . ,11' i..ou ana i/lacing on it a deail cock , they burnt It as a sacrifice to their deity , amid loud acclamation. The wooden linaga took all this quietly enough , but the original could no longer preserve his gravity. Ho burst Into a fit of laughter , and as a consequence was Instantly pounced upon by the offended worshipers. With shouts of rage they dragged him Into the temple and held a council as to what pun ishment should' be meted out for such a heinous offense. It was finally decldol to sacrifice him to their outraged deity , and for this they wore making speedy preparations when the loud clashing ot cymbals announce ! .the approach of their chief. At the door this dignitary was met by the high priest , who made known to him the sacrilegious conduct of the Ptranger. With rnger-llashlng eye the Incensed chief turned and seeing a Malayan creese rushed forward to take vengetnce iupon the offender , when Louis leaped up > and faced him. Instantly there followed cries pf mutual recognition and surprise , and thi ; , next moment Neptune was once again embracing the feet of his never- to-be-forgotten i protector. "Why , Neptyne , what Is ell tills ? " askeJ Louts , pointing toward the Image. "Borgaz la my go3 , " cried the negro. The two passed arm In arm through the astonished multitude , and on the way to the palace the chief related his history. It ap peared that the powerful Hadamus , sovereign of Madagascar , had concluded a treaty ot peace with Itene , his enemy , and the wife of the latter was named Queen of the Anas. This woman wat > the sister of Neptune , the ox-cook of the Ddo. | As soon as she was seated on the throne she lifted her brother from his lowly position and gave him ab solute authority over the. small province ot Slmpal. Neptune's flrst act of chleftanshlp was to endeavor to manjfpst his gratitude to bis preserver , and so tip had the god Bergaz set up , and made thesacrifice thereunto to bo a root'ter , In .remembrance of the Inciner ated critter that had so nearly cost him his life. o JMUNCE89 VICTOUIA. Olrlliooil nml'Ofllrlnl ' Kduoatlou of One of thn < > reut fcornrrlcn * of Hurnpe. liy Marie Dronart , author of the "Life of Ilia- marck" and \lfui of Gladstone. " Copyright , 1835. Dolls were Princess Victoria's favorite play things , and until she was 14 occupied her Imagination and her , fingers considerably. Perhaps they filled In some sort -tbo void of her companlonlesq , childhood. When she was taken to the 'theater her dolls were dressed and named after the personages represented In the play , court ladles , a few gentlemen , theatrical pensonages and babies , "Her favorites , " writes the queen's late private secretary , Sir Henry Ponsonby , "were small wooden dolls , ugly Dutch dolls , which she ecu Id dress according to her fancy : they had a house. In which they were placed In great order ; they had even their archives , which showed tha care and atten tion the royal little mistress lavished on her lllllputlan subjects. These rccorda are to be found In an ordinary cony book , now yellow with years , on tha Inside cover ot which In written In a childish , straggling , but deter mined hand : 'Lltt of my dolls. * Then fol lows In delicate feminine writing the namt ot each doll , by whom It was dressed , and generally , though not alwsys , the personage It represented. " Of the 132 dolls preserved , ttje queen ( with occasional help from Daroness Lebzen ) dreised thirty-two herself , a fact scrupulously re ported In the book. The needlework of tiie frocks U simply exquisite , tiny ruffles , hemmed with fair stitches ; wee pockets on aprons for dolU of fire or MX Inches , deli cately finished off with tiny bows. Pocket handkerchiefs not more- than halt an Inch square , with Initials embroidered In red silk and open hemmed. There are chatelaines ot white nnd gold beads , so minute that they almost slip out of one's hand. The deftness of the llttlo fingers , the amount of patience , the care , the attention , the precision , the extreme nicety lavished by the youthful fash ioner of these dainty trosseaus itrlke one with astonishment. We evoke the scenes which excited her Imagination , and In these childish achievements see the same qual ities ot self-control , steadfastness of pur pose and womanliness which have constantly been exercised by Queen Victoria In the tho- utcr of life. TOUCHING HUH COURT KTIQUHT. Baroness Lchzcn had the happy thought ot turning the dolls to account , and by their mtans to Initiate her pupil In the forms and ceremonies of the court. Heceptlons and pre sentations were rehearsed by the numerous retinue ot puppets dressed In full court costumes , with feathers nnd lappets. A long board full of pegs which fitted Into holes pierced In the feet of the little mannlklns served as the stage on which these mimic ceremonials were performed. Thus a Juvenlla pnstlmc was utilized to attain an Important end In education , and the future queen and empress learned unconsciously to perform with case nnd grace the functions of her high position. Princess Victoria , until she was twelve A VOUNO. rniNCESS. years old , utterly Ignored her prospect of lielr presumptive to the throne. So far her mother was Intent on guarding her from no tions of pride or grandeur. She was nine yars old when Sir Walter Scott was one day Invited to dine with the duchess of Kent. Ho made the following entry In his journal : "Presented yesterday to the Princess Victoria. This little lady Is edcuated with much care and watched so closely that no busy maid has a moment to whisper 'Yc i are heir of England. ' I suspect If we could dissect 'the little heart we should tlnd sonic bird of the air ha-j carried the matter. ' " Sir Walter was mistaken and three more years were to elapse ere the princess learned her real position. REALIZATION OF HER QKGAT ESTATE. The queen herself has placed before her subjects a letter written by Baroness Lch- zcn and which shows how It happened. "I nsk your majesty's permission to cite some remarkable words of your majesty when only twelve years old , while the regency bill was In progress. I then said to the duchess of Kent that now , for the flrst time , your maj esty ought to know your place In the suc cession. Her royal highness agreed with mo and put the genealogical table In the histori cal book. When Dr. Davys was gone the Princess Victoria opened the book again , and seeing the additional paper , said : "I never saw that before. " "It was not thought necessary you should princess , " I answered. "I tue I am nearer the throne than I thought. " "So It Is , madam , " I said. After sotro moments the princess observed : "Now , many a child would boast , but they don't know the difficulty. There Is much splendor , but there Is more responsibility. " The princess having lifted up the forefinger of her right hand while she spoke , gave me that llttlo saying : "I will be good. I un derstand now why you urged me so much to learn even Latin. My aunts Augusta and Mary never did , but you told me- Latin Is the foundation of English grammar and of all the elegant expressions , and I learnoJ It as you wished It , but I understand all better now , " and the princess again gave me her hand , repeating , "I will be good. " A STUDIOUS YOUNG GIRL. The queen In her Journal states that she cried much after making this discovery , from which dates a now era la Princess Victoria's life. Her studies were to be , If possible , broadened and deepened. She already spoke English , French , German and Italian fluently. She read Virgil wrlth ease. She was studying Greek and mathematics , and about the same time she began the study of the English con stitution under the direction of Mr. Antes , a gentleman deeply versed In the subject. Neither were accomplishments neglected. Dancing she learned with Madame Dowdln , music with De Sale , drawing and painting with Mr. Westale , who said had she not been destined to become queen of England , she might' have been the first lady artist of the period. In after ! days the queen told her old master that her pencil was a source of great delight to her , and , when fatigued by severer studies , It was always refreshment to her mind to devote an hour to drawing. It Is well known that wherever she goes , she carries an album with her and sketches all views and objects of Interest , The same with music. She sang with Lablache and acquired great proficiency. Her voice was a rich and flexible mezzo-soprano. A GREAT MUSICIAN'S EXPERIENCE. When Mendelssohn visited England In 1842 , nnd went to Buckingham palace , "the one English house , " he said facetiously , "really pleasant and thoroughly comfortable where one feels a son alse , " he was agreeably sur prised at the great musical talent of the queen and Prince Albert. "I thought to myself , " said hu , "one must not pay too many compliments , " but he found he could pay them with the best conscience In the world. It was quite a pretty familiar scene. When the queen entered the room where the prlnco and the great composer were playIng - Ing together on the new organ , she ex claimed : "Goodness ! what confusion ! " The wind had blown the music leaves all about the room , all three knelt down to pick them up ; then Mendelssohn asked the queen whether she would sing something for him. Yes , she would , "but the parrot must be carried out flrst , or else he will screech louder than I shall sing , " and the two men carried the great cage out. Then the queen sang charmingly some of Mendelssohn's songs , and ag he complimented her , she eald : "If only I had not been so fright ened ; generally I have such long breath. " It was In spite of fright one ot the things the composer had admired. HER OFFICIAL EDUCATION. An Important change In respect to the training of the future queen , Introduced at the time when she became aware of her prospects - pects , wax the appointment of the dowager duchess of Northumberland as her Instruct ress In matters rotating to state ceremonies. ( Ot course the religious education of Princess Victoria was most carefully attended to. The bible was read to her as soon MS she could understand Its teachings. ) It was deemed only advisable that ( he should not attend the parish church , where she was the object of too much attention from the congregation , so Dr. Davys used to preach every Sunday morning In the chapel ot the palaoo for the princesses , and Princess Victoria was expected to give her mother an account ot the sermon after church. One Sunday Dr. Daryg had choien for his text : "Whatever a man soweth , that shall ho also reap. " His young pupil naked him after church : "Da not men reap anything but what they BOW ? " "Thay may reap somethingelie , " answered he , "If they allow some one to come and sow tares amongst their wheat. " "Ah ! I know who that tome one Is , " said the princess , "and I must keep him at band's length. " "At arm's length , only , your royal blghneaa. " "Well , It I keep him there , ha won't do much harm , " was the prompt reply. On the 30th of August , 1035. the prlnceas was oondrilled by tbo archbishop of Can terbury , assisted by tha bishop of London , In the chapel royal of St. James. She rx- blblted great lenslblllty during the pa thetic exhortation In wulch the archbishop represented her future responsibility and the necessity ot nor looking up to the king of kings ( or counsel and upport in tier trials. Her composure gradually gave way till at length she was bathed In tears ami unable to subdue the violence of her cmotbn , she laid her head upon her mother's shoulders and sobbed aloud. It has bcfn said that tha princess seldom appeared In court. She was seen at two or three drawing rooms and occasionally at the theater. In 1835 she witnessed the Ascot races with the royal family ; she WAS Just 1C , beaming with youth , health and happiness , of mlddlo weight , In short , a real May flower , as she had been surnnractl by her grandmother of Saxe-Cobiirg-Oolha. Her fair hair was braided In Clotllde bands ( the ancient style of the PlantagEiict quevnt ) , which became the contour of her face exceedingly well. She wore a row-colored broche satin dress with a pelerine cape trimmed with black lace , and a Urge pink hat. N. P. Willis , the American writer , who was present at the races , wrote t the time : "During one of the Intervals I walked under the king's stand and caw very distinctly the young Prlnc ss Victoria. She Is much iKttcr looking than any picture of her In the shops , and for the heir to such a crown as that ot KnglanJ , unnecessarily pretty and Interesting. " A PRETTY ACT OF GENEROSITY. She was already popular and received with acclamation whenever she appeared as teen as she was recognized. Pretty anecdotes are told of her kindness. One day , for Instance , at a jeweler's where she had gone to mike some purchases , she was kept some llttlo time waiting , as the attendant was busy with another young lady who wanted a gold chain. At last she chos ? ono and asked Its price , on hearing which a look ot disappointment over spread her face. "It Is too dear , " she said. "I cannot afford It , " and decided on taking a cheaper one. When she was gone the princes ? asked the shopman If he know her , and being answered In the affirmative , she said. "Send her the chain she admires and say that the Princess Victoria wishes her ac ceptance of It for her sMf-control In resisting the temptation of buying what she could not afford. " The young princess could quite appreciate the moral courage required to declare "I can not afford It , " for she herself had sometimes been obliged to utter the same words. For uomo years the duchess of Kent was loft In somewhat poor circumstances , and but for the help of h r brother , Prlnco Lwpold , would often have been embarrassed. Consequently the household arrangements wore of necessity conducted with scrupulous order and strict economy. The princess had her allowance and was expected to make It suffice. At a bazaar held at Tunbrldge Well * In 1837 , she rpont all her pockat money In presents for her friends and relations. Suddenly she ro- rememborcd another cousin and wished to buy for him a llttlo box marked half a crown. The bazaar people wanted to Inclose It with the other articles purchased , but the gov ern rag said "no. You sec the princess has not tho. money , anil' ' so , of course , rhc cannot buy the box. " Then It was proposed to lay It aside until purchased , and no sooner did quarter day come around than the princess mounted her donkey , claimed the box and bore It away In triumph. It Is not to be wondered at If In later years order and Judicial economy were the rule In the royal household. The queen gave proof of her sense of honor and Justice as POOH as she came to the throne. "I want to pay all that remains of my father's debts , " said she to Lord Mellbourne. "I must do It ; I con sider It a sacred duty. " The prlmo minister said that the earnestness and directness of that good daughter's manner , when sqcaklng of her father , brought tears to his eyes. Parliament at last voted 10,000 a year tor the maintenance and education of the princess , and when. In 1837 , she attalued her legal majority , the king offered her another 10,000 a year from hl privy purse , it she would consent to his appointing the officers of her establishment , her proud nnd Independent spirit revealed Itself In declining the money on the stipulated conditions. Such was the princess who , on the 20th of June , 1S37 , ascended the throne of England. Young- men with as little as $15 or as much as $50 in their pock ets for a made-to-order suit get much the best by com ing direct to Nicoll the Tailor , where they can be correctly dressed at half the price ( for cash ) than their waittillyoupleaseto - pay friends who patronize credit tailors. We prepare special induce ments for young men in our $15 , $18 , $20 and $25 suit- to-order fabrics , Well-made overcoats made at about the same price. Trousers to order , $4 to $14. Garments expressed. Samples mailed. 207 S , I5TH STREET. DIICACO. ST. Louis. ST. PAUL. T OMAHA. BOSTON. DtNVER. TAlLbR DtSMOINES. PlTTSnURO. WASHINGTON. New YORK. INDIANAPOLIS. KANSAS CITY. SAtipRANClsco. MINNEAPOLIS. HARTFORD. PORTLAND. ORE. LOSANQELLS. DOCTOR SEARLES &SEA3LE5 Chronic , Nervous , Prlvita Diseisji TIIKATJIKNT BY MA1I * Consultation Fre We cure Catarrh , all diseases of tha HOBO , Throat , Chest , Stomach , Liver , Blood , Skin and Kidney Diseases , Fe male Weaknesses , Lost Manhood , and ALL PBiVATE DISEASES OP MEN. WEAK 1IEN AHK VICTIM8 TO NUUVOUS Debility ot Exhaiutlon. W Una Wcaknu * . In voluntary Louee , wltli KarlUemy ID young and middle * j d ; lac * ot vim. vigor and weak , ened prematurely la approachlnc old ace. All field nadllr to our new treatment for to * * ot vital power. Call or adilrti with Utnp tor circular * , free look and receipt * . Dr , Searles ani SeirhJ , RHEUMATIC TWINGES. Dr. Humphreys ( tntcrnont lnt nrek Itmt niicu- m.itlwn Is cnusrd ! > > uric nclcl In Iho blood oo- rnnlonnl much duriiwlon , thi popular theory Imrlng been thnt roUl , ilixmpticus nnd Intrmpcr- DR living were the onuses Inclcild of onlj' QR- KrnvntltiK the f > ymitoms. | Tlio Men that the Imperfect nctlnn of Iho kidney * wai tha rrat CAU C nnd tlml the usa of No. IS opened tits rjnffitnl duct * , permitted Ilia pecrttlons to pn > * oft , icllcf niiit romfoit follonln * n * a nulurut result , wn to reasonable that gtiffercru lelted It with nvldlly , nnd many a twlnia of Hlieuiiui- ttam , Belatlon nnd I.umt > iKO was Kscnpctl by Hie u e of ItUMI'IHinvU' HtKQtVltiTiia. IS. No , U nirfn Ithrmrmtlsm , Acute nnd Chronic ; lAimb.igo , Sciatica nnd e\ery form ot llheumatlo 1'nln , Horrn < " , StllTiies.i and I.nmenoss. If yuu will carry and Ukc No. 1C you will ea- c.ipc alt Itlicumatlc tulngc * . ALL 1'ltAlHl ! Til Kit , JtoUert W. Klrn-ln , 81. trills , Mo. . rlc ( < ij " 1 XMi'it to tell the people wliat benefit I li.-uo found In llunnilirc ) * ' Spoclllcn. My mullicr uwcd No. 13 fur Rheumatism nnd K < > t Immodlatu relief , There Is no medicine I Imte ever uacit like tha Specific * , I linvo ircominendetl them to nil my friends and all iir.ilso them highly. " d llli. I T K VCCKSX. " T. 1C. Wllll * . Anaconda , Mint. , wrllea ! " 1 have used Humphreys' Speclllc No. 15 fur Illicu- mntlsmiltli great miccrn.i. " Til KM TO .IJK J. N. Andrrcon , of Philadelphia , urlles : "Hnv used Humphreys * Sprcllles for a lone time nnd recommend them to all 1 mutt. No. 13 cuicd mo of ItheumnlUm. " KIDNEY l > lRen es-ara\el , Calculi. Thick , Unhealthy - healthy UlschnrRra ; Dllllcult , 1'alnfut Urination. cuied by "i7. " UltlNAllY ni enw-Incontlnencc. Too Fra- nuent , 1'alnfut or .Scalding Urination ; Wettlmr thn lied , cured by "SO. " UYSl'Kl'HIA Indigestion , Weak Stomach nnj nil " forms of HIlllcHisiiess are cured hy Dr. Humphrey's Specific No. 10. MUUICAI. HOOK l > r. Ht'MrHIinYS1 Spcclfla Manual of all dl ene' mnlled free. Sold by OitiCKljts or nenl on receipt of price , 2-.C , or 5 for Jl. ( May 1x > nxwrtiyl. ) HI'Ml'H- HIJYH' MlIDlflNIJ COMPANY , corner of Wll- llam and John street * . New York. PATRONIZE ! By purchasing goods made at the following Nebraska factories. If you cannot find what you want , communicate with too manufac turer as to what dealers handle their coeds : BEMIS OMAHA BAG CO. Mnnufncturcnr ot all kind * of cotton & burlap bag * , cotton flour tacks A twine ipectaltr. 81' 1C-818 B. llth-gt. JIHK.tKFAST FOOD , 1'I.OVIl , VKAKT. ' WM. PRESTON & CO. Manufacturers of rreton' California FUVea , Sickle brand nlf railing flour & yeoit. Do you UB Preeton' * belt flour ? OMAHA BREWING ASSOCIATION. Cat load thlpments mad * In our own refrigerate ) car * . Blue lUbbon. Kllte Export , Vienna Export , and Family Export , delivered to all part of city. FROST & HARRIS. Carriage & Wagon Maker * . Carriage * , buggies , phaetons & wogoni alwayi on hand & made to order. 1213-1S llamcy-Bt. . Omaha. COVJ-'KM , SriUfiN , JI.IKIVU rOlfDIllt. CONSOLIDATED COFFEE CO. , Coffee Itoaater * . Spice Grlndera , Manufacturer * German Baking Ponder and German Dry Hop Yeast. Hl and H16 llarney-st. . Omaha. Neb. S. F. OILMAN. Manufacturer ot Gold Medal Flour. C B. Illack , Manager , Omaha VAVTOniKS. OMAHA UPHOLSTERING CO. Manufacturer * of parlor furniture , lounge * , din. Ing fable * A folding bed * . IStn ave. , Boyd to Sahler atrceU. _ 1VK AKJi COAL. _ SOUTH OMAHA ICE AND COAL CO. Uomcitlc & steam coal. We have the ecit. ON flee 1601 Farnam-it. Telephone : Office STJ , yard I'M. J. A , Doe , gen'l manager. ntoff women. INDUSTRIAL IRON WORKS. Manufacturing & repairing ot all kind * of ma. ehlnery , engln * > , p'imp * . elevatore. printing preaie * . hanger * , thuJtlng tt coupling * . 1403-1 HowarJ-iU. Omaha , PHOENIX FOUNDRY GO. Fir * hydrant * , water ft. gaa.plpe , fpeclaUi boiler front * & fitting * , atreet H'y car wheel * . ArchU tectural Iron work * . Office l t 8. ltth-it. , Omaha. PAXTON & VIERLING IKON WORKS , M'tV * of Architectural Iron Work. General Foundry , Machine and Il cJ iitittb. Work. En * clneer * A Contractor * for Fireproof llulldlnga. Office and Work * . U. P. By. & Bo. 17th Street. Omaha. THE MERCER CilEMlCAL COMPANY. Manufacturer * o * fluid extract * , elixir * , fyrup * . ft wince , eompreued triturate * , njrpodermlo tab. 1iU , ptlla & eclentlflo medical novellle * . Omaha , MA-tTttKSSKB , COTS , CKIllS. L. C DOUP. Manufacturer Maltreue * . Spring Bed * ; Jobber Keutncr * and Pillow * . North llth and Nlcholaa Ht . . Omaha. WATUll JflltE HKHI'iaK. XHillT , _ _ _ ' AMERICAN DISTRICT TELEGRAPH , The only perfect protection to property , Uiaro- Ine It. Beit thine on earth. Reduce * Insurance rate * . 1M ( Douglas-it , Ol'KltALL riID. Manufacturers of juen'i A toy * ' clothlnr. panto , hlrt * A overall * . 20Z-Z1I 8. llth.at. JIOXJH. THE OMAHA PAPER BOX CO. Uaiiufactuier * of all kind * paper boxe * , ihelt bom umple ca e * . nulling ; tube * , eto. wed * dlnjcaku It fancy rn < ly bom , drUKgld A jewelry boxc * . UOMO Jonecit. , Oman * , SlIIllT Kicluilve cuttom itilrt tailor * . HU rarnam trevt , Telephone tM. I'.l NXti J1IIIC1C. 1IEMHY EOLLN , OMAUA.SEB , Factory la IxxiUvllle , Cu * Co Quality ot brick jparu > U * < l to t * a * coed aa any bUUUe ( U > U * : at * . lleory UoUo.