Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAHA DAILY BEE: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1001.
9
A RED FOX.
Hy MARTHA McCL'LLOCli WILLIAMS.
'Copyright, 1900. by 8. H. McCluro 4
Tho mall en mo In nt noon each day, yot
tt was 3 o'clock bcforo tho judgo sat down
In front of his log Arc to read tho county
paper Commonly going to the crossroads
toro, for It was tho event of his day, hut
this particular day he had chosen to send
little black Tony In his stend. Christmas
was coming, Indeed was very close at hand.
In consequence tho store's one window
hono resplendent with drums and dolls and
firecrackers and red-topped boots. So tho
judgo had smiled Instead of frowning over
Tony's loitering ho understood that a
country store may seem a near approach
to fairyland, when one la 9 years old, and
lias nover seen cvon a village.
Tho Judge read his newspaper, as ho did
vcrythlng, with precise and alert Intelli
gence, beginning nt the very top of tho first
page, scanning the news heads lightly, then
going straight to tho sheet's real heart, the
chronlclo of county doings. It was a bald
chronicling, lamely humorous to one who
did not know enough of county history to
read between tho lines. It was there tho
judge got tho Intclllgcnco he sought. A
paragraph at tho bottom of tho page was so
pregnant with veiled mennlng It imwlo him
urow very white, drop tho sheet and sit up
right, breathing hcnvlly.
"That means ho will break his tnothor's
heart," ho said nt last. "Sho Iovcb him
bettor than llfe-nnd ho Is nil his father's
on."
A gentlo scratching at tho outer door
wade him turn his head. "So tho prodigals
hnvo como back?" ho said, smiling and
Btooplng to a big Iron oven which sat upon
ono corner of the wldo hearth. It was full
of cornbrcad freshly baked. Ho cut out a
generous chunk of It, and walked to tho
door, where tho scratching kopt up, supple
mented by -low, eager whines. "Hoi You
rascals! Didn't you get thnt rabbit after
nil?" ho asked the couplo of hoUndB outside.
"You ought to bo nshamed, truly ashamed
to como for dinner this tlmo of day. I am
kBhamcd of you you will spoil your noses
completely but mnybe, after all, you nro
not tho ones to blame. Maybo n good dog
has to run rabblta when his muBtcr Is too
old and lazy to take him out after a fox."
All tho whllo ho was tossing bits of bread
to tho dogs. They wero handsome fellows,
black-and-tnns, satlu-contcd, though thin
ns laths, with hcnlthy, clear, pink mouths
nd limpid oyes full of emulous lire. Crook
kneed, decp-llcwcd. with pendulous cars,
after tho manner of tho old southern hunt
lug strain, their massy chests, powerful,
Bupplo lolnH and tho lightning play of
muscles beneath tho satin coats told of
breath nnd speed nnd courage to llvo In any
field.
They crouched upon the rough porch
floor, beating a soft, satisfied rataplan with
their tnllB as thoy eaught nnd swallowed
their allotted tnorsclH. Feeding done, they
edged nearer nnd laid their heads appeal
lngly against their master's foot, whimper
ing gently. Ho smiled whimsically, stooped
to pat them and said: "Poor fullows! Good
fellows! If I tnko you to keunol will you
tell tho rcBt that you ran away after
rabbits, yot wero not whipped for It?"
Remus crouched nearer, with a little
happy whlno; Romulus snt up and gave a
loud, long-drnwn howl. "So you howl over
tho whippings you miss!" tho Judge said,
laughing. "That Is very much tho way of
tho world, ladB but como along home."
Ho filled nil his pockots with bread, took
down his flddlo nnd stepped outside. Tho
dogs lenped up to lick his hand, but ho
ivnvod them forward, toward a rumshacklo
gate, wn'fcli 'lofl"nitf' alckefcd'cnclMuri?
some fifty yards off tho back door. It waa
perhaps an aero In extent, with roomy
konnclH along ono sldo. Within It twenty
couples of hounds walked, or raced, or
played ono with nnothor, or soberly did
nothing. About half were, bluo-mottlcd,
bigger and brawnier than tho blnck-and-tans.
A fow had whlto coats spotted with
liver or orange. Outland strangers who
now and then camo to rldo with tho Judgo
had a way of Bonding hlin, afterward, fash
lonnblo bred puppies, which ho nccoptcd
with chastened Joy and brought up In tho
way good dogs should go. Still, ho was
prono to shako his head over them after n
lliard run and say thnt for hunting In tho
flat woods there waa, after all, nothing like
a flat-woods dog.
As ho opened up tho gato Homus nnd
Itomulous slunk obediently through. Ho
napped the latch, set his foot upon tho
cross bar and began to play "Illack Satin."
At tho sight of him tho pack had howled a
welcome.. Tho music made soma of tho doga
howl louder than over. Tho rest raced to
catch tho bread which their master tossed
nt them botwlxt bars. For ten minutes ho
atcod looking thorn narrowly over, playing
by fits nnd starts, and in speaking softly to
each hound by name. For answer tho dogs
lenped up, put their foot on tho upper cross
bar nnd laid their heads affectionately
Against his breast. Ho stroked their heads
or made a feint of rapping thciA with tho
fiddle bow, then struck up "Tho Eighth of
January." Tho hounds understood It was
dismissal. They trooped away, howling
In concort.
"Hello, Judge! That sounds llko they
wero on edgo up to two Christians runs!"
somebody shouted from tho front gate. Tho
Judgo turned to seo three horsemen, who
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1HE SWIFT SPECIFIC CO., ATLANTA, OA.
waved their hats and greeted htm all at
once.
" 'Light, gentlemen! 'Light nnd como
In!" he said, breaking oft In the middle of a
bar. "Tho hounds arc well, t'Ar to
mlddttn' only mlddlln'. Still, with luck
nnd a good day"
"Luck's begun' a'ready. Listen! I've got
a red fox for you I Trapped and not n hair
turned and n very dickens to fight!" the
youngest of tho three visitors called, his
volco shrilly Joyous, The Judgo's faco lit
up. "Then I think we shall havo somo
sport," ho said.
"Hed foxes air p'lson mcsn tho meanest,
varmints I know except, maybe, oue," a
second man said.
Itnnsti Dudley, tho fox catcher, gave him
a sharp look, a glance distinctly warning,
then ran hurriedly on: "Much you know
about varmints, Tobe Martin you're too
busy turnln' honest pennies, and somo that
ain't honest, to seo anything that don't go
In a tobacco hogshead. Ain't that so, Judgo?
Hut nover mind! Let's Bcttlo about tho
start. I've a sorter notion for tho Widow
Kpporson place."
l)y this they wero In the house and
scaled about the Arc. Tho Judgo had set
out n decantor and glasses. "IIolp your
selvesbut remember this Is a four-Anger
month," he said hospitably, then to Dudley:
"Tho Widow Epperson plnco is good
ground, lUnso It tho wind hap
pens to bo sauth.- A red fox
always goes down wind It weakens tho
scent then, too, ho can run faster.
With the wind at his back this fellow
may bo out of the state yes! across a
whole Kentucky county, bcforo wo run him
down. In a long chaso tho time to look out
for your horse Id tho first hour. After he
has been wcl twice and dry twice, nothing
will hurt him vory much. On second
thought, I'm Just a bit afraid to risk start
ing In that five miles of sedge and grassland
the best of us might bo tempted to ride
too hard"
"You know foxhunting! I nover would
havo thought of that!" ltanse broko In. Tile
Judgo smiled nnd Btghcd. "I ought to know
tt pretty well," ho said. "It has been my
occupation for forty years."
"Yot they tell mo your dogs aro never
out Christmas day. Why Is that?" asked
the third man. Ho was ono of. the out
landers, No neighbor would hnvo dreamed
of subjecting tho Judgo to tho indignity of
a direct qucutlon.
"Christmas Is tho homo day. A gentle
man chooses always to spend It there," tho
Judgo answered, tho faintest possible cm
phanls on gentleman. Tho outlandcr, John
Match, looked sedulously In tho Ore. After
a mlnuto tho Judgo went on: "Kanso,
what do you say to turning that flno fellow
loose In my out pasture? Ho's almost sure
to get away tho Kppcrson route then It a
l.orho is winded our skirts will be clear.
Toll tho boys all to como early. We'll
likely need all day and a good piece ot tho
night."
"I'll mako 'cm como at first chicken
crow," Hanso said.
'
Commonly tho Judgo's pack found before,
killing. It was only to savo tlmo that a
quarry va3 ready to their noses upon n
Christmas run. This particular Christmas
run had ovcry promtso of upon. Thoro was
tho southerly wind, tho cloudy sky to pro
claim n hunting morning. Tho clouds woro
not thick and leadon, but long trails of
silvered clrrhl, veiling tho faco of a lato
old moon, low down tho cast. Long bcforo
tho 'moon paled for dawn full thirty hard
r.ldpri had. turned ln.nt. tho judgo'f gate.
Ho was ready for them perhaps because
ho had slept rather badly. Do what he
would ho cptid not got tho threat ot that
veiled paragraph out ot his mind. Of
course ho did not admit that to his inmost
consciousness. IIo told himself instead
that ho had long got beyond belief, or
hope, or fear. It ho continued to lovo
mercy, to do Justice, to llvo uprightly, it
was from habit. A gentleman Ingrain could
not do otherwise.
Hanso was tho first comer, with John
March eloso upon his heels. "I nm sorry
you lost," tho Judgo said, shaking his hand;
then, seeing Ills wondering faco: "But
maybo you havo not heard you know tho
first comer opens tho Jug nnd has first
call on It. That might upset somo young
stors but ltanse! Well! His head is. do
ccntly lovcl."
'Fine liquor this It must bo old. What
ago do you prefer?" March asked, glunclng
about tho big room. Only a log room, It was
bright wltn leaping Ilrcllglit ana tho flamo
of many candles. For the most part they
stood In cheap Iron sticks, but those n-row
upon tho mantel woro of old wrought brass
or heavily chased silver. Tho Jug, n fat,
brown ono, rested upon a claw-foot ma
hogany 'able, so highly polished the
gluBsea clustered over It showed double
and seemed to danco and stand" upon their
heads In tho light ot the leaping flames.
"A man might respect himself and drink
whisky only flvo years old," tho Judgo said,
thoughtfully fingering his battered silver
corkscrow. "Anything under Is unpardon
able. Savon 1b a fair ago for liquor ton
ever so much bolter. What wo aro drinking
Is twelvo. I was almost tempted to broach
the barrel In honor ot a red fox eh, Ranso?
hut decided to leavo It for tho other flvo
years."
"You don't know about tho barrel," Tobo
Martin put'ln. "A big distiller sent It to
the Judgo when he was elected mcmbor ot
assembly. How old wero you then, Judgo?"
turning swiftly to tho host.
"Twenty-flvo. It was good liquor, but
row, so I sealed It to be kopt fifty yearB,"
tho Judge said, with a slow smile. "I was
young, you soe, even for my age. Fifty
years did not seem such a very long time."
''Hero's hoping you mny llvo to drink tho
whale barrolt" ItanBo said, holding out his
glass halt full of mellow amber liquor, deli
cately fragrant. "I don't bollovo tho barrel
can bent It," March said, untitling the
frncrnnco. "Toll mo how you manage,
Judgo? I fancied old whisky went out along
with slavery nnd tho rest of tho old south."
"Maybo It ill J. I do not know. Except
that tho llttlo black children play at going
to school, I do not seo much difference,"
the Judgo said, almost dreamily, "As to
whisky, all I do Is to put honest stuff In my
smokehouse. Dllsey, my foreman's wife,
keeps tho key day and night. Nobody, not
oven tuycolf, goes In without her good leave.
My mother taught hor to look out for mo.
I daro say sho will go on doing It to the
end,"
"Sho keeps to all tho old ways specially
In cookln'," Tobo Martin sntd, holplng him
self to a fnt, brown sausage. A dish of
them smoked on one corner of tho hearth,
flanked by an old ham, a lordly turkey and
pans of biscuit and cornbread. A big coffee
pot steamed amid the ombors of the
chlmnoy Jamb. Tho hunters ato and drank
In relays, standing about the Are. March
was now to Tounessco, especially new to
tho flatwoods, It was better than a play, ho
thought, to Bee this old man, still straight
nnd slim us the younficst, with his Ann,
enger face thrown Into high rollef by his
plcturecquoly composite environment.
Tobacco, In which Tobo Martin dealt
locally, had brought March to Tennessee.
Ha hnd spent Christmas day In llellsboro,
tho county town. It bad been full of thrill
ing stir, but ho hardly recalled tho fact
uutll ho heard tho Judgo say: "Everybody
In but Dabnoy Sands! That Is most un
usual. What can be the matter;"
"Hasn't caught his man yet, I fancy,"
March said, carelessly, Tobo Martin
pluckod his Bleeve, but ho went on: "Tuey
may say It was a gentleman's quarrel I
call tt cold-blooded murder shooting a man
on his own doorstep. Young Warwick did
right In tearing up Peyton Ashe's challenge,
Sheriff Sands himself told me"
"lint h. .In.lUif tt n nt a ant.1 vnrv
loudly. Martin almost dragged March out-
Biuo. "ii you u occn nero n ween longer
t',1 fnnl llko 1, (., .... I.. anM "Vnil
- ' .vw a..u auuviiu juu, ill' nuu. " "
don't know It, but none of us ever say Ashe
in
presence of the Judge. Mighty good rea
son for It. too. You kio. when hn wns
young and rich nnd 'way the foremost man
in mo county no bardly knew wnlch no
loved hnftt. lila RweMfioArt nr hln nnrlnnr.
Tho partner was a Peyton Ashe, father to
mis one. ino sweeincart was a great
belln And i-rrftfpr hnlrnnii nn rtrh nlmnHt
as the Judgo himself. Tho wedding supper
was ccoKca, tno people coming to cat It,
when what does my lady do but up nnd
marry Peyton Ashe. Thoy tell how the
Judgo turned tho color of death when ho
heard It hut all ho did was to write and
tell her ho wished her Joy. Next day ho
found out that his partner had tnken not
only his sweetheart, but his fortune. He
had been speculating wildly and lost right
off tho reel; the Arm name was signed to
notes; It beggared tho Judge to pay. Alt
ho had left was this tint wnmln nine nml n
handful of family niggers who nro not half
so iroo now as tney wero when they hnd a
master. Ho ml?ht hnvn tnulo mnih-
start the people would havo Riven him
anything ho might havo nskod for but ho
didn't seem to want It he has nover seemed
to want anything."
Sol March whistled, "I did put my
foot In it. How can 1 deccntlv rrrnno mv.
self?"
"By foreottlna what von nlii n ml thnt
you said It," Tobo answered promptly.
Hero comes the does! Sav! Aln'f thnv
beauties?"
"Looks like they mout ketch tho wind
let crlono er red fox." n prlnlni fnrm.r
said at March's elbow. Thp
other sldo shook his head. "Won't bo ten
of 'era In nt tho death," ho said. "I can
namo three thnt will, right now Lovo
Locks, nnd Lady, and Sweet Lips. Them
big blue bitch PS cull Hfnv nlili Fifirm it
Judgment day."
'That thnr Junlter fllla mv vn t.i
third critic. "No. no. VVnno on urn-., in
my pick!" n fourth ejaculated, cyolng tho
puck as u trotted nt tho Judge's heels. He
rode Claymore, his beat hnntnr nnn
striding brown beast, three parts thorough-
oreu. ..air weight, Tolr start, nothing In
tho country could touch him unless It might
bo Ilderlm, Sheriff Sands' black stallion,
whom ho hardly evor risked upon tho road.
March folt his blood leap. "Hough! That
Is One!" ho said, his oyo riveted upon
tho massed glistening, lltholy leaping tan
gle. Tho Judge put his horn to his lips
and blew n thin, keen blast. Tnntnnriv
tanglo straightened. Hoads up, stems down,
tho dogs went through tho gato six nbrcast
nnd strenmed down tho lano toward tho out-
pasture.
Why, this is wonderful I A inMr,i)i,
would cover them." Mnrrh mm m...!.,..
to tho Judge's elbow.
"Walt for tho music!" Mm
smiling. "My dorrs nrn nrnltv .!, t
shall not insult tholr noses by laying them
ngni on mo trail. Wo lot tho fox out nt
the other sldo now when I hnrv
- - .. .UVIII U II
watch Beauty that black bitch over thoro
io mo rignt. ou can depend on hor al
ways tho mlnuto you hear her challenge
It Is hark, nway."
Another blast, shriller, keener, sent tho
dogs circling about. Tho wind, dead in tho
hunters' faces, broutrht til ft nrnnr nitnelA.
ing. Beauty's lensh mate, tho Beast, gavo
mo nrsi suspicious sniff, but dropped his
noso nnd went racln? nvnr hn ,im
silent as a ghost, ningroso, who was blc
nnd hardly more than n puppy, sniffed too,
and gavo a llttlo puzzled yelp, but went
trailing oft In tho wnko of bluo Jupiter.
Beauty mado ono full circle, not a very
wido ono, then stood stock still, head up,
noso to tho wind. After ih
breaths sho was nway llko an arrow, not
ruttilng, but maklne irrp.it imninc
hor head still up, her sllkon Aug streaming;
out behind. Suddenly sho turned at a truo
rigm nngie, put her noso to tho turf, chal
lenged, not loudly, but with exultant Acrco
ncss, and ran nway, duo north.
Boforo sho was half across tho 100-acro
pasturo tho nack rnmn nfrr in
with men nnd horses as eager at tholr heels'.
ino men whooped nnd shouted till tho
world was full of noise. Tho ii.,
cars Aat against tho nock, snorted open-
inouuioa, ioro along, toppod tho Arst fence
llko birds and whinnied natlsfnetinn tt,..
struck Armor earth in tho open woods bo-
yuuu.
As the hunt swept ncross tho mill road
half a dozen men galloped down It, roso
In their stirrups nnd gavo a keen, exultnnt
yell. Tho leader of thorn was mounted upon
a stallion, black as midnight, and evidently
of hunting strain. As ho reared nnd fought
for his head, whickering to the dog music.
Tobo Martin enld to March, "Ood! Tho
plot's thickening. Dabney Sands is here
on Ildorlm. That means Peyton AbIio Is
here also that ho has no ghost of a chance
to got away."
"It's a cursed shame. I lay Dabnoy
wants to come with us ns bod as Ilderlm
ocrj Dit: Hanso said, as thoy enmo I
tho Epperson fence, a ramp of overgrow
to
vn
unura iivo yams across. Tho placo hnd
been tenantlcss for years. All its wet
broadthB woro yollow with tali sedge. Onco
lnsldo tho fox douhleil but th n.t, .....
too closo upon him. All ho could do waa
to veer tharply wtst.
"I lay we don't tea nolthor Kalntucky
nor Brer Fox of ho ain't headed off. Ho'a
making right straight for the bluffs at Do
lln's mill," the man next Tobo Martin
shouted very loudly. Tobo scowlod back at
him: "Hadn't you better go tell tho Judge?
You know ho novor went fox chasln' be
fore." Almost the samo mlnuto the Judge
bockoned Itanso to him, unslung his horn
and tossed It to tho young fellow, saying:
"Keep tho dogs Btralght on, unless I hal
loo. If I do, blow twice and come as hard
aB you can ride."
"Let mo go!" Hanso entreated. The
Judgo shook his head, smiling. Ho know,
urn woum uoi say it, mat Clayraoro alono
could raoko threo miles fit ft flnntl run vnt
keep In the hunt. Ho chlrrupped sortlv.
Claymoro s strldo lengthened. He circled
tho pack, took the north fonce with a skim
ming leap, tore across ragged grassland,
iuppeu me outer renco, low nnd rotting,
then wont down hill nlonir the mill rnn.i it
a perilous pace.
Tho hill, steep and full of rod gulloys,
led down to a clear valley miles long. Over
against, beyond the mill creek, tho bluffs
roso gray and craggy. If once tho fox
gained them ho was safe from man or
hound. Now tho valley was full of low
winter sunshine. Tho clouds had drifted
far to tho north there was almost a touch
of spring In tho air. The Judge Bnlffed
It gratefully. On ono hand now fallows
gavo out a fine carthv frnrmnrA ,,, ik-
other cropped moadows lay Bteamlng nnd
unuK wiui icnrs oi mist.
A reddish brown somothlng, low nnd
swift as a Aylng shadow, ntnln ilmmi
distinguishable across the wet grass. At
Bigiu oi ii mo jutigo gave a ioud halloo,
Claymoro wheeled In his tracks, took the
mm lenco ounana ami uroko into a stretch
ing gallop. Ho heard, his master heard,
answering hulloos, undcrvolced by tho thin
high Blnglng of tho horn. Tho doirs, run
ning for llfo, gavo but now and then a
yelp. Tho Judgo smiled and nodded. "That
Is Beauty. Now. Sweetll
and tho puppy ningroso with her! Wei!
none, lain
The fox doubled sharnlv nml hm,A tnr
cover, but not the cover of the sloping
wooaiann. insicaa ne Kept skittering In
and out of tho hedgerow at foot of It.
Presently, at tho spot where a deep hollow
made In from the Aat woods, ho slipped
through the fence nnd rnn duo south Into
tho teeth of his pursuers.
Tho Judgo knew whnt that meant tho
cunning beast would double Again within a
hundred ynrds. With a louder halloo he
sent Claymoro over the fence nnd dashed
up tho hollow. Tho Fides ot It, though
wooded, wero freo ot tangle, but down tho
middle rank hazel nnd sumach and aider
mado a wall ot matted stems. A dead tree
had fallen and crtishrd the wnll. It was tho
blindest gnp, but the Judgo set CInymore
at It.
"Back! I will not bo taken alive!" u man
said, rising up In tho tangle to selzo Clay
more's rein. At tho word tho Judge grew
very white. He began to seo InRldo tho
stem wall, n sort of sylvan cave, hiding it
Jaded mud-splashed horse, and a man whoso
hand gripped n revolver. It was a whlto
hand, whlto and soft, with n curious blood
red seal ring upon the' little Anger. There
was no need of the ring, though the Judgo
know It well. Peyton Ashe tho younger
had his mother's voice.
"Do you know me?" tho Judgo asked. The
man gavo a ltttlo cry. "You are Judgo
Clnlbornc," ho snld, his voice breaking.
"You were coming to me?" tho Judge
asked. Peyton Asho nodded:
"Yes but thnt brute Sands kept too
close."
"Ho Is closo now," the Judgo said.
"I know it," Asho returned, "Go to
him please. Tell him It's llfo or death.
He he may keep mo from getting away
but If I dlo I will take him with me."
"You must choose some other mes
senger Dabnoy would answer you as you
deserve," the Judgo said, his face hot. Asho
looked up dully,
"Excuso me. I am desperate," ho said.
"Mother seemed to think she bado mo
como to yoj with this" holding out a llt
tlo trombllng scrawl. As ho spoko be
stopped out ot covert- Ho wan tail nnd
slight, with a worn, Imperious faco and
hair thickly silvered at tho temples. Forty
years lay between him and the man he
faced, yet to the casual gianco thero wero
hardly bo many montliB. He lookod down
and Bald, with a sort of odd embarrass
ment: "It's n shame to mix you up In this
affair but there Is nothing else If I am to
get away. You could never convlnco a
Jury that ono had to shoot n fellow who
refused you tho satisfaction of a gentle
man." "No, you co.tild nover do It," the Judge
snld, recoiling a little. Ho was the soul
of honor nnd Justice, no Icsh than ot mercy.
This man, blood-guilty and Impenitent, re
volted him. And yet and yet tho man
was Janet's son. "As you loved me, savo
my son," Janet hnd written, Ho knew hor
woll enough to comprehend that In the
stress of thnt plea fato avenged oven his
wrongs. Ho had no wish for vengeance.
Sho had tricked him, cheated him, spoiled
his llfo. Now, in her extremity, sho turned
to him for succor.
Cold beads stood upon his brow. IIo
trembled nnd bowed his head. Suddenly,
lesa than half n mile away, tho pack broke
Joyously, Aorcoly, Into full cry. As ho
caught tho sound tho Judgo's head wont up,
color enmo back to his check, light to his
eyo. IIo bent and said In Ashe's car: "I
bcllcvo thero is n chance it you daro to
rldo for It. Hear tho dogs! That fellow
will never stop Bhort of Kentucky."
Mllo on mllo tho hunt swept cross coun
try, tho recovered trait running slightly
west of north. Onco or twlco tho fox
doubled. Onco thero was a serious check,
which gayo tho horses breath. Then the
country grow opener they had como to the
big farms which llo cither Bldo of tho stato
lino road. The going wns much better
tho soil a warm chocolato loam, drained
morp readily than tho hoUUng.olays of the
Aatwoods. Thero was plontyof grass, too,
nnd moro stubblo thun fallows As ltanse,
still loading tho pack, swcpt.tdQwn n Aold
of It, ho saw tho sheriff and his posso rid
ing n parallel lane.
"Our foxes seem to run tho samo way!"
tho sheriff shouted, "nctkon both aro
malttn' for Kentucky. But whero'a the
Judge?"
"Over yonder!" Hanso shouted back, nod
ding toward tho left. "Batter como on
with us, Dabney maybo we'll kill to
gether." "I wish I could!" tho sheriff said. "Con
found Peyton Asho. It's Just llko his cuss
odnoss to raise this ruction Christmas time,
then trail off out here ho's to tantalize me.
Ho knows I'vo been countln' on thlB hunt
for six months back."
"Which do you reckon minds It most
being chased, you know your fox or ours?"
Hanso asked, Dabney scowled. "Can't
say!" Then, riding to tho other's olbow
nnd speaking vory low: "I'll catch mine,
If I can leavo no Btono unturned but I
hopo I can't do It for if I do it's cortaln
hangln'."
"Yonder la tho Judge If you want him
for anything spoclal," Hnnso Bald, pointing
forward. Sands had keener eyes. He
looked, then gavo a llttlo startled cry.
"That'8 no Judgo U'b Peyton Asho!" ho
said. "I'd know that Ano gray coat ot his
amongst a thousand. Ho's riding Clay
more ho thinks he's safe to seo Kontucky.
My Ano gentleman, wo hnve got a word to
say. Cry on tho dogs, Hanso cry for all
that's In 'em. With tho crying right ahead,
Ilderlm can catch Claymoro."
"If If ho has harmed ono hair of tho
Judgo's head, don't you namo stato lines,"
Tobo Martin snld, "as I've always reckoned
Judge Lynch owns pretty much tho wbolo
country."
Tho wind still southerly, dropped to tho
morest ghost of air. A Ano rain fell
straight down, tho footing beenmc miry.
Ono by ono dogs nnd elderly men dropped
out. Still Claymoro led tho hunt, two
Aelda behind tho pack and ono In front of
Ilderlm, who wns far ahead of tho rest.
It was In vntn for nny to try nnd stay with
him. Tho black camo of n famous racing
strain and was wJld to ovcrtako tho flying
lender.
"If we miss, we'll nt leaBt bo doln' our
best," Sands said between his teeth, as
tho chase swept Into the stato lino road, a
broad, red thoroughfare marking tho boun
dary. Ho gripped his pistol Claymoro'B
rider would certainly dash away northward
It amazed him that tho man held his course
straight after tho hounds. Thoy woro run
nlng almost on view, nover stooping to pick
up tho hot, reeking scent. But tho paco
was sensibly slower. Tho best dogs over
whelped nro no match for a red fox with
tho wind nt his back, and rnln enough to
freshen his parched tongue.
This fox was unlucky. From a near farm
houso threo couplo ot fresh hounds broke
and Joined tho pack. Instantly ho rnn duo
north, hurrying, scurrying, In deadly fear
of these, new full-throated enemies. Clay
more, 100 ynrds ahead, almost trod on the
hounds ns they wheeled. Tho turn favored
Ildorlm. When they wero again in stride
ho was almost abreast of tho brown.
But strnln as ho might, he could como no
nearer. Mllo on mllo they raced, possessed
as woro tholr riders, by tho madness of tho
chaso. Tho hounds held to the trail as long
as they had breath. One by ono they
dropped out, to crouch, whining discontent.
Lovelocks Jed, with Bcnuty ten yards nway
Tho fresh hounds could not head them
could not even do more than keop up with
their kennel comrades,
Almost each half mllo tho fox doubled
dipping now Into ono state, now tho other
Claymore knpt still n llttlo In tho lend
Ilderlm could do no moro than hold him
safe tn sight. Ildorim's rider was moro than
amazed. Several times ns the chase faced
north ho cocked his pistol, but hold It
Arc, muttering to himself: "I've no right
to shoot unless I knew my man know ho
was runnln' out of tho state,"
Once or twice the fox camo In vlow, run
nln; almost Aat agatnst the earth, tongue
out, brush down. Ho wag near his last Acid
tho riders knew tt by tho Joyous Aerce
nesa of the dogs, in a very little whllo they
would seize nnd rend him, then something
must happen. Involuntarily tho herlff sat
stralghter and gripped his weapon harder.
Claymoro nnd Ilderlm took the last fence
together nnd less than forty ynrds apart.
As they got their feet well under them
Claymore's rider pulled up, gave a keen,
triumphant whoop, sprang down and turned
his mount's noso to tho wind.
Sands had no eyes for tho pack ravening
over their quarry. He boro straight down
upon his quarry.
"Surrender! We nro not out of tho
state!" ho began to say, but stopped, his
Jaw dropping. "Judgo Claiborne! I would
not havo believed It of you no matter
who had said It!" ho cried In tones that
ho tried to innko lujurcd, but which wore
yet full of relief. "How could you trick
mo so? And whero Is that scoundrel Peyton
Asho?"
"I nm truly glad to say I do not know
out of tho state, I hope!" tho Judgo said
In his very stntcllcst manner. "I advised
him professionally to leave It. As to trick
Ink you Dabney may not n man trndo
hats and coata when he gets tho best end
of tho bargain?"
"But tho risk!" Dabney persisted. "I
was so certain so damned certain. Once
thnt fox hnd kept straight In Kentucky, I'd
n-hnd to shoot! If I had killed, you, I'd
u-shot myself, suro as there was a bullet
left. Think of chancing that for Peyton
Asho!"
TABLE AND KITCHEN,
Practical Suooestlons About rood and the
Preparations of It.
9
Hnlly Menu.
THPIISDAY.
HHKAKKAST.
. rru"'
Cereal. Cream
Creamed Dried Hoof. Huked Potatoes.
Corn JU'ul Pone. Coffee.
LUNCH.
Potato Chowder,
nutter Cukes. -Marmalade.
Ten.
IHNNKH.
t, . Vegctublo Soup,
tresh Tongue Bralied. Creamed Carrots.
Baked Hwcet Potutoes.
String Ilenn Salnd.
Cranberry Puffs.
Coffee.
FRIDAY.
HHKAKKAST,
Stowed Prunes.
r, in , V.d Common! Mtixh.
Codnsh Cakes. Cold Catsup.
Quick Biscuit. Coffee.
LUNCH.
Sardines. Hot Potato Salnd.
Ihln Slices Bread nml Butter.
Tea.
DINNER.
Cream of Celery Soup.
Escnlloped Oysters.
Mushed Potatoes. " Celery.
Lettuco nnd Chceso Salnd.
Lemon Jelly. Crenm Cake.
Coffeo.
SATURDAY.
HKEAKFAST.
Baked Apples. Crenm.
MnManvn f ..a n .1 T)....
Buckwheat Cakes. Maple Syrun.
Coffee.
LUNCH.
Cold Sliced Tongue.
Cottnfe Cheese.
Stewed Fruit. Wnfcm.
Cocoa.
D1NNI2B.
Broiled Oysters on Toust. ' Brown Sauce.
jbk uroquoucH. urenm sauce.
Tomuto nnd Onion Knrcl.
Pruno Whli). Coffee.
SUNDAY.
BREAKFAST.
Grupo Fruit.
Cereal. Crenm.
Fillets of Whlto Fish. Creamed Potatoes.
Pop Overs. Coffee.
DINNER.
Brown Stock Soup.
RonM Duck. Potato StufAng.
Applo Sauce.
Creamed Turnips. Peus.
Celery Salad.
Mlnco Pie. Coffee. Cheese.
SUPPER.
Cream Checso nnd Ollvn Sandwiches.
Stewed KlgH. Soft aingerbrcad.
Chocolate.
VAIjUAIILU WIXTIilt FltlMT.S.
Value nntl liiiirtiiucM of Dried Fruit
Not Well Unit null Known.
Tho varloty and nbundanca of fruits which
aro found growing In culllvnted or natural
stato In nil parts of tho world, except tn
oxtremo cold latitudes, seem to show vory
conclusively that they nro designed for nu
Important as well ns prominent placo tn our
dietary. And yet, In Bplto of this ovldcnt
ordained purposo and tho pleasure they
glvo to both palato and senso of beauty, wo
And fruits generally regarded as luxuries,
or at best pleasant accessories to our list
of foods, but not supposed to possess any
value, from a nutrient standpoint.
Tho statement that fresh fruits contain a
largo percentage of water, not less than 73
per cent, nnd In como varieties giving as
high as 89 per cent, should not mislead tho
housekeeper Into tho bollcf that It Is a
useless expenditure of money to tndulgo
frequently In theso Bticculcnt fruits, with
tho Iden that they nro simply a delight to
tho oyo and gratifying 'only by their de
licious flavors and senso of taste. Water Is
ono of our most Important factors In food
In aiding in Its proper assimilation nnd
dlgoBtton, ns well as tn tlssuo-bulldlng.
And It Is safo to say thoro aro few who
obtain tho necossnry dally supply required
by tho system. Thero Is no plensantor or
safer way of acquiring this needful element
than from fresh, ripe fruits, prepared In
nature's laboratory with Just tho propor
amount of natural sugar and acid to mako
tho beverage most inviting to tho palate.
Tho Juicy winter fruits wo nro most
familiar with aro tho orange, lemon, llruo
and grape, fruit. If tho nature and uso of
thoso fruits woro properly understood and
they wero considered, as they should bo, as
naturo's tonics and regulators, wo would
And tho money expended In theso seeming
luxuries but a small amount compared with
tho sum wo uncomplainingly hnnd out for
tho various advertised tonics, digests, regu
lators, etc.
AVIumi to Kilt I'rult.
Tho generally accepted tlmo for eating
fresh, uncooked fruit ts at tho beginning ot
our mcnlH, especially In tho morning. It
Is n question, however, whether the appotlto
that requires tho Inccntlvo of an acid tonic
to arouso a desire for food docs not ' Indi
cate somo serious disorder ot the dlgcstlvo
powers, that require n careful regulation
of the diet. Hut when tho appotlto Is In n
healthy, normal condttlon and desires
hearty, solid foods, tho habit of beginning
tho Arst meal of tho day with fresh, sub
acid fruit should bo moro generally ob
served. Tho Juicy fruits, llko soups, pre-
paro tho way for tho ready digestion and
Nutritive, Refreshing, Economical in use. A breakfast
cupful of this delicious Cocoa costs less than one cent.
ooia ai an grocery
BAD COMPLEX
Dry Thin and Falling Hair
and Red Rough Hands
Prevented by
CUTICURA
Millions Use Cuticura Soap, assisted by Cuticura Oint
ment, for preserving, purifying and beautifying the skin, for cleans
ing the scalp of crusts, scales and dandruff and the stopping of fall
ing hair, for softening, whitening and soothing red, rough and sore
hands, in the form of baths for annoying irritations, inflammations
and dialings, r too free or offensive perspiration, in the form of
washes, for ulcerative weaknesses and for many sanative antiseptic
purposes which readily suggest themselves to women, and especially
to mothers, and for all the purposes of the toilet, bath and nursery.
No amount of persuasion can induce those who havo once used it
to use any other, especially for preserving and purifying the skin,
scalp and hair of infants and children. Cuticura Soap combines
delicate emollient properties derived from Cuticura, the great skin
cure, with the purest of cleansing ingredients and the most refresh
ing of flower odors. No other medicated soap ever compounded Is
to be compared with it for preserving, purifying and beautifying the
skin, scalp, hair and hands. No other foreign or domestic toilet
soap, however expensive, is to be compared with it for all the pur
pose? of the toilet, bath and nursery. Thus it combines in Onb
Soap at One Price, viz., 25c, the uest skin and complexion
soap and the best toilet and baby soap in the world.
Complete External and Internal Treatment for Krer Humor,
Consisting of CUTICURA HOAP (Zfie.V to ctmnnn tho Vln of rnmtn nnd nlwt and
notion tho thlckmrd cuticle; CL'TK'l'UA OINTMKNT (MV.). to lntiMly allay llch
Inr, Inflatnmntlon nnd lrrltntlon and soothe anil lienl. and OPTICI'IIA UKbOlA'r.NT
(OOo.), to cool nnd clsanne tho tlood. A St.NtJI.i: SUT. coMInK but fl.Sfi, Is often
sufllclent to euro tho most torturlnc. dlsflKurlnn skin, scalp and blood humors, wlln loss
of hair when nil else falls- Hold throuchuut tho world.
asslmllntlon ot tho solids. Wo must re
member thnt frultB aro meant to servo tho
purpooo of food or as food uccompanimonts,
uud wo misdirect this purpose when wo cat
fresh fruits at unseasonable times, us be
tween meals.
Tho cranberry, or cranohorry, which some
authorities claim Is tho proper pronuncia
tion, Is perhaps our most popular fresh
fruit ohtalnnblo In tho winter. It seems
essentially n cold weather fruit, as It keeps
well nnd even freezing docs not Injure It.
Whllo tho berries nro not palntnhlo un
cooked, they mako nn extremely palatablo
sauco or Jelly. Thoy aro docldedly acid,
with n flavor peculiarly their own, which
develops tn cooking. This fruit, when Btni-
ply stowed with a llttlo sugar, nnd tho
skins not removed, whllo relished by ninny,
Is rather too ncld ami Irritating for chil
dren or dcllcato digcBtlous. Thero Is very
llttlo or any waste In cranberries, and tho
cost being moderate, thoy nro within tho
means ot most families, for at Icust nn oc
casional addition to their bill ot fare.
Our dried fruits, of course, do not pos
sess tho samo refreshing powers which
make tho fresh, Juicy fruits so delightful,
and they should not bo classed In tho sumo
order of foods or substituted entirely for
tho fresh, uncooked fruit, Whllo In drying
thoy loso considerable of tholr proportion
of water, they aro richer than tho fresh
fruits, and retaining tholr nutrients nro a
moro condensed form of food nnd not bo
readily digested. In fact, thoy servo a vory
different purposo tn our dietary compared
with tho Juicy, uncooked fruits. They par
tnko less ot tho nature ot tonics nnd may bo
proporly admitted In tho rank of foods.
Hy the most successful process of drying
or evaporation tho fruit Is sufllclcntly pro
nerved without being subject to n degrco
of heat great enough to destroy their Ano
Aavor or mako them dry or hard.
I'lKa, Date, I'liima.
Until very recent homo cultivation en
abled us to obtain this fruit grcon and
ficsh, wo havo been obliged to depend on
tho dried Imported Ags, tho Ancst of which
ccmo from Smyrna, noth dry nnd groen
AgH contain much sugar nnd consider
ably larger proportions of nitrogenous
substances than most other fruits, unless
wo except tho date. Tho Ag Is tho Arst
fruit which received nny particular mention
In tho writings of sacred history und Its
cultivation has continued from tho parent
tree placed In tho Garden of Eden down to
tho present day, nnd In ncrrly all eastern
countries It forms ono of tho principal arti
cles of food. It should not be eaten In too
great quantities, ns thoy nro somewhat
aperient, and tho dry, Imported Ags hnvo n
hard, tough Bkln nnd numerous Bceds, which
nro Indigestible, and often Irritating In their
action. Natlvo-grown dried flgs nro ten
der, 'moist nnd contain fowor so-called
seeds.
Tho dato Is also a fruit of great antiquity
and a highly nutritious fruit. In Egypt
and Arabia thoy form n most Important
food. They contain half their weight In
sugar and a fair proportion of nitrogenous
matters (ftosh formers), ns woll. Tho dato
palm Is tho "multum In porvo" of tho
Arnb, ns It furnishes him food for himself
nnd beast, drink, fuel In fnct, supplies al
most every physical need his llfo demands.
Tho fresh plum Is not regarded as an al
together wholesome, fruit, and unless In Just
Its right condition Is apt to prove harmful.
Hut when dried It makes a valuablo addi
tion to tho dietary, ns It Is whnlpsomo, nnd
tho sweotor variety contain a largo amount
of sugar. They may bo Judiciously added
to thp list of foods for children nnd In
valids, being remedial In their naturo for
certain defects of tho system.
Itnlslns nnd currants aro tho sweet varie
ties of grapes dried by exposuro to tho Bun
or artificial heat, tho sun-dried making tno
best raisins. Itnlslns aro rich in sugar, and
may, with proper preparation, bo given to
invalids. They impart a dollghtful Aavor to
many milk preparations, which ts most ac
ceptable to tho Hick, especially whon thero
1h a distaste for milk, n very serious ob
staclo which often confronts tho nurso when
a liquid or milk dlot Is ordered her patient.
Tho applo and banana are bo generally
known nnd universally used It does not
seem necessary to go tnto a detailed de
scription of them.
When dried, Btowcd fruits nro substituted
for tho fresh fruit at breakfast, servo with
corral and without sugar. Cream may bo
used with tho sweetor kinds.
The l'nlUmlesj Will Ilr Nit veil.
As a result of tho energetic and welt
directed efforts of tho Now York nnd Now
Jersey Tallsndes commissions, reports tho
Now York Herald, tho destruction of tho
picturesque cliffs ot tho Hudson ceased on
ChrlRtraaa ove, und a conditional contract
was mado which promises to prcecrvo them
siurca mci u ijcai iuuc.
SOAP
In their grandeur for utl future time.
Tho result, has been mado posslblo by tho
generosity of public-spirited men In Now
York and Now Jersuy. Through tho efforts
of George W, I'erklnB, president of tho Now
York commission, men of means havo
agreed to contribute $122,C00 towurd buy
ing tho Interests of tho contractors who
hnvo boon blasting along tho I'allHndcs.
They havo made thin gift conditional on
tho nctlon of tho Now York and Now Jersey
legislatures agreeing to pay tho money If
the two stntcs will nppioprlntu n sufllclent
sum to meet tho other expense. This Is
estimated nt about 100,000.
What Shall We
Have for Dessert?
This question nriscs In tho family
every tiny. Let us answer it to-day. Try
Jell-O,
a delicious nnd healthful dessert. Pre
pared in two minutes. No boiling! no
baking! add boiling water nnd set to
tool. Klnvors: Lemon, Orange, Hasp,
berry nnd Strawberry. Oct n package
t your grocers to-dny. 10 els.
Pure Food
f None but Advertising of Thoroughly Re
liable, Pure and Healthful Foods Will
Be Accepted for These Columns,
MB
The
Dyspeptic
and the
Frying
Dm eJ
Uil
make up
and
become
Friends
Women of refinement who re gird healthful
cooking ai a paramount duty; good coolci,
leading clubi and hotel chefi, and cooking
suthoritiei everywhere earnestly recommend
Wllion's Salad Oil at better value than
the rnoit delicately flavored Imported Olire
Oil and costi very much lesi, Send for book
let, which contain! erceptional rrcipei, by
Demonstrator) Mn, S. T, Knrer,
1'nncipal I'hiladclpnia Cooking School) A.
Mantr, Steward and Manager Rittenhouie
Club, and other valuable Information free.
Alk jour friendly Rrocer for WtJIon's Olii
and avoid unhealtmui cooking fats.
ABOUT BEER
If you aru willing to test our state
inuntH you can nuickly auttla tho tieor
(Muutlou, Wu claim to glvo you bet
ter und purer bear thun any other
brewery. Wo bollovo our claims uro
based on faotn. You'll got wlso In u
mlnuto after thu first trial. Our boor
Ik
fiETTELMAN'S NATURAL PROCHSS IlEPR
Mwlo by
rilU A. aKTTHLMAN WtRWINClCO.
OF MIIAVAUK15H. '
A. J. HI (OUT. Manager Omaha
Uranch. CM-ifi South 10th Htrcot.
Tolephono 1121.
Not a soft pasfy foodB
not a harsh singedjfratiiB
1