Nebraska Newspapers

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DAKOTA COUNTY HERALD: DAKOTA CITY, NEBRASKA.
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jgr ISABEL GORDON CURTIS
Author of "The Woman jrorw WoJverikrs"
ILLU6TKATIOSSr ILL3 WORTH YOUNG-
OOPYRIGHJ; I9H- BY F.G.PROWHE SxCO.
SYNOPSIS.
Enoch Wontworth. newspaper man, and
Andrew Merry, nctor. after tho guests at
a poker party depart, play a lost nana,
tho stakes to be aboslutu control of tho
futuro Of the loser Wentworth wins nnd
thoy dccldo to keep tho matter secret.
Dorcas. Enoch's sister, becomes Inter
ested 1n Merry. Knowing of his short
comings from her brother sho trios to
arouso tho actor's ambition. Ho outlines
,tho plot of a play ho has had In mind
and the Rlrl urges him to go to work
n It. When ho completes tho play and
roads It to "Wentworth the latter do
mands It as tho forfeit of tho bond won
In tho peker game. Wentworth Interests
Oswald In the play and preparations for
tngtng It nro begun. Dorcas Is asked to
play MCordella," the leading part In tho
play. Sho expostulates with her brother
for taklngf aft the credit for tho pleco
and Ignoring Jlerry. Dorcas recognizes
Merry among tho down-and-outs In a
bread line.
"What do you want, MIbb Dorcas:"
ho asked quietly.
"I want to talk with you," answered
tho girl. "Do got hi, plcasoout of tho
storm "
Morry handed her In, then followed
and shut tho door. "I cannot go homo
with you." ho announced Bluhbornly.
"Enoch Is away. Ho's In Montreal,
and thoro Is nobody at homo except
Jason and me. I have so much to say
CHAPTER Vlll Continued.
Dorcas glanced at tho handful of
men cowering In a shadowed corner.
A sudden fear seized her, tho fcinlnlno
terror of midnight streets.
"You don't imagine," she whispered,
"that I shall havo any trouble? It In
possible I am making a mistake in the
man. Are thoro dangerous characters
among them?"
"Not exactly dangerous," said tho
ofllcor slowly. "If thoy're dangerous
it's from hungor. It ain't onco a year
you find a crook in tho bread lino. It's
too easy to spot thorn, waiting as thoy
do for an hour or two in that light."
"Thank you," said tho girl. Sho
crouched behind a half-drawn curtain
An tho shadow of tho carriage, watch
ing eagerly tho gathering of homeless,
"hungry mon. They began to creep to
iward the bakery from every direction,
(most of them with a shambling stop
that told of ill-shod feet or shamed
xoluctanco to beg for food. Tho skies
liad been lowering for hours, and Just
lieforo midnight tho first storm of tho
-winter camo down. It began with keen,
,llny needles of Ice, but they stung and
frozo, for tho wind drovo them' in
(merciless, piercing flurries. Tho loi
tering men crowded together and
turned thoir faces sullenly from each
'furloua cloud of aloot Hungor was
jblttor enough without tho Btorm.
.Dorcas watched through misty oyes.
'Sho wondorod at tho still patience of
tho throng. Below her In a basement
.a warm red light burned, and through
tan open door tho wind blow tho fra
igranco of boiling coffeo acroBS tho
street Sbo saw a man thrust a slim
rwhlto-faced boy into a shelter botwecn
,the wall and himself.
4 "If I were starving I couldn't be pa
tient and courteous," sho thought.
"'The. smell of food would maddon mo.
- ,1 would batter a door down.'
Sho started suddonly, then for a
moment ab& scarcely breathed. Down
Tenth stroet slouched a tall, stooping
figure. Tho roan woro a shabby over
coat which covered hla body almost
to the foot; Its collar was turned high
.'about his neck and an old slouch hat
hadowed his face. Dorcas could boo
llttlo betwoon but a bristling board,
firho keonost doteotlvo searching for
lAndrow Merry would not havo glancod
itwlco at tho flguro; DorcaB' oyes fol
lowed it with grave perplexity. Sho
Siad been startled Into recognition tho
might before when tho man pulled tho
(shabby hat down over his face- Sho
caught a gllmpso of Merry'B long,
Jwhltc, Blonder fingers and noted ah
'lrapatlout, peculiarly gracoful gesturo
'which was characteristic of him. Dor
caa had soon It frequently, sometimes
nvhon ho was on tho Btago, sometimes
.whilo ho had talked with hor.
I Ho paused beforo facing tho glaro
'of Broadway and pulled tho hat brim
carefully about his faco; it might havo
tbeon for Bholter from tho otlnglng
Iblaats of sleet or for bottor conceal-
intent Then no Boomou to guuior uiuv
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Wa!mYi Jpn '
WW I fito
He Turned and Stared at Her.
to you," sho cried nppcalingly. "Wo
can't talk driving through tho streets
on such a night as this."
Merry stared at her for a minute
with dogged obstinacy in his gaze.
"Won't you como?" urged tho girl
Impetuously. Her color deepened and
nn eager light shono in hor oyes.
"Thoro is so much I want to say. We
shall bo qulto nlono. You can trust
Jason. Afterwards you may go away
if you wish and I will promise
nevor to attempt to find you. I will
try to forgot you." "
i Merry stretched out his hand and
touched her nrm, loaning forward un
til his faco was closo to hers. "MIbb
Dorcas, don't say that. Slnco I left
you that night crn Juniper Point! havo
lived a llfetimo of happiness and hor
ror and romorso. Ono thing alone has
saved mo from going over tho brink
of tho precipice, simply ono thing."
Ho lifted his oyes to hers. "Tho ono
thing," ho ropoatcd, "that I could not
fling away was tho memory that you
trustod mo, that you believed In me.
and woro waiting for mo to mako
good."
"I trust you now," cried tho girl, hor
volco breaking into a sob. "I am still
waiting for you to mako good. Won't
you como homo with mo?
Tho cab BtoDPod in front of tho
Wavorly Piaco homo. Morry followed
hor roluctantly up tho stops. Sho
paused for a moment whilo sho nd
Justod tho koy in tho lock.
"Would you mind soolng Jason?"
sho asked hesitatingly. "Ho can help
you with dry clothes. Ho will bo aB
glad to soo you as I am."
"Ring for him," anaworoa worry
quietly. "Jason and I aro old pals."
Half and hour later Morry walked
Into tho library whoro Dorcas was
waiting for him. It seemed as It the
moro rcBumDtlon of clean, comfortablo
isolf together with energy born of dos- ci0thlng, oven though, hungor still
1 "Don't bring In whys now. Wo aru
so comfortablo. I don't ask for an ex
planation I don't want to givo any.
Can't you soo I'm in Happy Valley for
a llttlo whllo7 I am bo glad to have
you here again."
Merry smiled into her eyes. "I'll
obey you, bless your gentle heart!"
Tho rlrl roBo and reached to a shelf
behind her for a box of cigare. Merry
lit ono, lounged back In a cushioned
chair, and puffed rings of smoke
towards tho red flro. Thoy Bat in
silence after Jason had carried away
tho dishes. Their quiet was broken
when tho clock Btruck ono. Tho man
started.
"Miss Dorcas, you wanted mo hero
to talk. I cannot rob you of a plght'o
Bleep."
"I am ns wido nwako as a crlcKet I
slopt all tho afternoon."
"First of all," Morry askod gravely,
"how did you find mo? Scores of men
nnd women passed mo day after day,
peoplo I havo known for years. Not
onn of them recognized mo." "v
"Thoy woro not searching for you."
"You wero?"
Dorcas nodded.
"How did you And me?" ho per
sisted.
"Last night on my way homo from
tho theater with Mr. Oswald our cab
stopped In a block, nnd it wns opposlto
where that lino of men stood. I was
looking at them when I Baw you pull
down your hat. When Mr. Oswald left
mo hero I drovo back to Tenth stroet,
but tho lino had dispersed. I wont
again tonight Juet hoping."
kit,.-- , If. nM...1.19" nttlraA MnWV
WHO IB ir. USB1UUI M,u- v,..,,
abruptly.
"Don't you know? Haven't you been
rending tho papers? Mr. Oswald Is tho
man who is nutting on your play."
"My play?" Andrew dropped his
half-smoked clgnr on tho table.
"Your play," repcatSd Dorcas In a
quiet tone "They havo been search
ing everywhere for you to play 'John
Estorbrook.' Enoch Is in Montreal
now, looking for you."
Merry laughed harshly.
Tho girl clasped her hands together.
"Mr. Merry, tell mo, aro you and
Enoch no longer friends?"
Andrew nicked un his cigar and
puffed it until tho red spark revived.
Then ho laughed again. "Wo aro not
exactly friends. Has ho told you any
thing?" "Yes, ho to'd mo only It seemed
so strnngo, so hard to believe after
our talk that day at tho point that
somehow I cannot understand It"
Morry watched her keenly. Ho was
throttling a tomptatlon to tell every
thing that had como between him and
tho sunshlno of existence. He felt
sure of tho girl's sympathy; he knew
sho would understand. Ho had begun
to realize his own dependent nature.
First there had been Ills mother, thon
for years ho had leaned upon Enoch's
strength and friendship. When ho was
left alono It was outer darkness. Every
flbor of his being longed not so much
for redress as for understanding and
sympathy.
"MIbb Dorcas, I will begin at tho
day when I loft you and" Suddenly
ho realized ho could not tell tho story
of Enoch's disloyalty to her. "Miss
Dorcas, I need your help terribly."
"I am ready to holp you in any way
I can," sho answered quietly. Sho
know ho wub nerving himself to a con
fession, and sho understood what an
ordeal It waB to tho man. Sho crossed
tho room and laid a paper beforo him,
pointing to tho bold headlines
stretched ncrosB tho top of a pago. Tho
words fairly leaped at Morry.
TREMENDOUS SURPRISE
Enoch Wentworth tho Coming Drama
tist. Ho road on down through tho col
umn. Fellow Journalists had banded
togothor to give Enoch a royal Intro
duction. Merry's namo was not men
tioned, though there was frequont ref
erence to a famous Btar, who had tho
leading part in consideration, Oswald
was reforred to as a newcomer in tho
ranks of New Y6rk managers. His
lavish production of Wentworth'a
drama was described In figures ap-
Wr. Ho stopped quickly forwara ana
Itook hlB placo at tho end of the broad
hlno. A hundred mon stood betwoon
jhlm and tho honeflcenco of food. Oth
(era woro closing In behind him. Hero
jand there ono man turnod to Bpeak to
fanbthor; tho man Dorcas was watch
ling stood Immovable Ho thrust bis
hands deep in hla overcoat pockets,
thia oyea woro fixed on the whltonlng
(Sidewalk beside him. Dorcas turned
to tho opposlto window and noddod
with an oager gesture to tho offlcor.
His hand wont up. Ho spoko to tho
cabman in a low voico.
"Drlvo round through University
I placo to Ton th thon up toward
Broadway. Pull up half-way down tho
.block."
f The man turned his horeo and
'moved down tho Btrcet
sr.
1
JR.
Dorcaa
whtm-'hw
- ibroad. line
CHAPTER IX.
A Man of Honor,
breathed a High
of
a
cab .. drew up bcsldo t,hp
Sho had thought during
fter brief drlvo around tho block of tho
possibility that tho man might leave
diis place; but thoro ho stood, motion-
less, with head bont doflantly against
'the stinging eddloa of sleet Sho
stopped from the carriago and passod
swiftly along the sidewalk besldo tho
lllno of a city's poor. She hesitated for
a fow seconds when aha reache'd tho
".corner, then she stretched out hor
hand and laid it on tho wot aleovo of
'tho man beforo her. Ho turned and
fltared at her for ono dazed moment,
'He .did not speak. Instinctive cdur
tesy reminded him that this was no
ulace for a woman in a midnight
tara, and Uis dcBlro to protect hor
cHftd the hunger to bo forgotten. He
Mopped quietly from tho sldowalk and
without .a word moved beside her down
iha tret Tho movement caused a
eore of men to turn with quick curl
Mlty, Imt suddenly a cry ran down tho
line: "The door's open!" Everything
ete y1eldd to the inarch toward food.
DorcM swiftly led tho way to tho
oarrtam- WJwn OROuod tho door
and boekoiwl Merry to enter ho o3i
Uted, Ute blood flushing into hi wan
marked him, had given tho man fresh
valor, now dignity.
Ho laughod nervously. "It Is a ro
Juvonntlon, Isn't It?" ho asked as he
glancod at himself In the mirror. "Ja
son unearthed somo duds I onco left
here."
Jason was an oxcollont valot, and a
hot bath, a shave, and fresh raiment
had made a man of Merry, a no mch.
of fair hair which habitually fell ovor
his forehead made him look almost
boyish, although his faco waa pallid
and careworn.
"I havo oaten nothing slnco morn
ing," Dorcaa said. "I tola Jason to
unrvn aunnor horo. on a llttlo tablo bc
sldo tho fire, whoro It Is cozy and
cheorful."
Merry dropped Into a chair. Ho
wondorod If tho Intense onjoymon,t of
tho gqod things of Ilfo was pure sensu
ouBncss. Tho odor of hot coKeo, tho
Bight of a daintily sot tablo, tho ra
dlancn of a coal flro. tho glow of red-
rollof Bhadod lights, nnd tho storm shut out-
doorB brought a tingling picnBure
which seemed Uko mero animal grati
fication, lio shivered for n moment aa
ho listened to tho storm. Ho won
dered what had mndo It posslblo ror
him to bravo, homolessnoss and hun
gor and squalor. Looking back on It
ho realized ho had homo It aB a man
lives through pain under tho power of
nn anesthetic. Tho mlBory of hlB mind
had dulled tho sordid wrotchodnees of
moro oxlatenco.
To Merry that Bupper was a festival,
not wholly bocauso It was tho satis
fying of ravonouB appotlto, hut bocauso
It was tho crisis u ins wo. uorcaa
eonBed that If her own hunger was
real. Merry wokW not fool that sho
was feodlug a famished outcast. Jason
beamed upon them In sheer enjoyment
when ho brought In full dishes aim
carried away empty ones. Dorcas was
light-hearted and gay, aB uappy as
thoy had boon during their first ac
quaintance at tho Bhoro. tor a mo
ment, whilo Morry drank his coffeo,
tho moraory of a fow horrible weoko
Intruded on tho present,
"Mlfis 'DoreW ho began abruptly.
"Why did you"
Sho stretched out hor hand appeal-ingly.
Mk
mi o rWMmmM
J nSS:?3
3391 if ' I
wwmm
She Pointed to the Bold Headlines
proachlng prodigality. Merry read It
through to tho laat sentence, then tho
paper fell to tho floor and hv. burlod
his faco In his hands.
Whilo Dorcas watched, her heart
ached for him. It was hard to hold In
chock tho Boothlng touch Bha would
have given to a woman or to a child.
"Oh I" sho Bald In a piteous whisper,
"It was such a mistake."
Ho did not anawor or lift his head
from his hands.
"I pleadod with Enoch. I told him
It was all wrong, terribly wrong, for
him as well as for you; that when you
returned ho must Bet things straight.
I told him It was not oven couaoora
tlon; It was wholly and distinctly your
play, yours alone
"Collaboration?" repeated Merry
perplexedly, raising his oyes,
"Ho told mo ovorythlng," cried the
girl hurriedly. Sho wan trying to oavo
fall. Sho did not wish to listen to It
"Everythlngl" repeated Merry in
credulously. "Yes, ovorythlng. Oh I if you had
como back only two or three days ago
things would havo been different"
Ho roso abruptly and crossed to tho
window.
"MIbb Dorcas," ho did not turn to
look at her, "what wob tho worst
thought you had or mo when Enoch
told you what happened?"
Tho girl paused for a mlnuto beforo
sho answored. "I thought you were
weak."
"Weak!" Tho man repeated tno
word as if trying to comprehend Its
meaning.
"You should not havo allowed
Enoch to Btnnd as tho author of your
play, no matter what tho circum
stances wore. He is not happy over It
today. His naturo BeoraB to havo
changed. Ho is not easy to llvo with
even. Oh, I wish it had never hap
pened!" Merry waited in silence.
"Things -must como right, even if
this lio has been told." Sho pointed at
tho paper which lay at her feet.
"There Is ono way. You can play tno
convict so wonderfully that peoplo
must reallzo that you yourself created
tho part."
"I shall never play tho convict."
Merry's voice was slow and resolute.
"Ob!" cried Dorcas, "who can?
Why, I thought your heart was eet
on tho chnractor."
"It was onco."
"I cannot understand."
Tho man did not attempt an expla
nation. "Androw Morry." sho hesitated as it
searching for words which would not
wrong her brother, "did Enoch do you
any any Injustice?" .
She waited for an answer during an
infinitely long' ellence, so It seemed to
her. Then tho actor spoko abruptly.
"No. As I look back on It now, I
wont Into It with my eyes open. I Blm
ply learned that thoro la no way to
gauge human naturo."
Again there wns a sllenco. Dorcas
waB trying to understand, trying to bo
loyal to her brothor, even while hor
heart, aching with unspoken sympathy,
turned to Merry.
"Why don't you want to play 'John
Esterbrook?' " sho asked quietly.
"I don't suppose I havo a decent rea
son, oxcopt that when I gavo up tho
play I lost all Interest In it 'John
Esterbrook' is no more to mo today
than 'SllaB Bagg.' "
"Oh!" cried tho girl aghast "How
you havo altered!"
"I havo." Merry Bpoke In a hoarso
whisper. Ho returned to his ennir oy
the flro and bent to warm his flngorB
by tho blazo. There was another long
sllenco. Dorcas was tho first to break
1L
"Even it It wero against your Incli
nations, would you do something to
mako somo ono very happy, somo one
who believes In you who cares a
great deal for you and about your fu
ture?" Merry spoko gently. "Miss Dorcaa,
I'm afraid you aro mistaken. Thoro Is
nobody in tho world to caro."
Sho rose to her feet and, leaning on
tho mantel, glanced down at him with
eyeB from which embarrassment had
suddonly fled.
"Ono person cares very much. I
do. I havo sot my heart on your suc
cess. You havo a groat future won't
you work for it? Besides, I am selfish."
Her eyes shono witn eagerness. i
want to play 'Cordelia.' Mr. Oewnld
has offered mo the part I havo studied
It. I could play it tomorrow u you
would bo my teacher."
Morry turned with a quick gesturo
as If to push temptation nway from
him. "Don't!" ho cried. "Ah, Miss
Dorcas, don't .go Into stage llfo!"
"I shall go Into it sooner or later."
Sho apoko with quiet determination.
"I feel sure I can pjay 'Cordelia;' be
sides, it would bo so much eaolor to
mako a beginning with Enoch and Mr.
Oswald and you."
Morry tobo and paced for a few
minutes about tho room, then turned
to tho window and gazed out at tho
desorted city. Tho sleet of midnight
had changed to a raging storm. Tho
wind drovo tho snow in sudden flur
ries, piling it in drifts across tho
square.
"MIsb Dorcas," ho said, "como here.""
Tho girl crosBod tho room. "Why,"
sho cried, "It Is a fearful nlghtl"
"Yes. It's ft fearful night for tho
hnmnlfisa. Do you know whero I
might havo found shelter tonight it It
hod not boon for you? Perhaps
thoro'B a hallway somewhere that I
could havo slipped Into, and for an
hour or two tho police would havo left
mo undisturbed. I might havo found
nn empty bench on a ferryboat, or
tho Bowery mlealons aro open; oniy
before ono can mako up his mind to
seek a lodging there, thoy aro filled to
Suffocation."
Dorcas shivered.
"It I had known during thoao weeks
that anybody cared or believed In
mo perhaps I should not havo gono
so far down tho hill. I did not daro
oven to hopo that you thought of mo
again."
"Andrew," snld tho girl, "I care so
much that I cannot teU you. Somo
queer strain In my naturo makes mo
happiest when I havo aomo ono to care
fnr. fJlrln nt thn convent used to
como to mo in nil sorts of difficulties;
tho ones I loved boat wore tho ones
who needed mo most Thoy called mo
'Llttlo Mothor."'
'"Llttlo Mother,'" repeated Morry;
then ho laughed huskily. If tho girl
had known men she would havo Been
nbsoluto famlno for lovo, for sympathy
nnd human understanding In tho oyee
that woro bent upon her.
"I tako back what I said a fow min
utes ago. MIbb Dorcas, about tho Btago
being no placo for you. Women like
you aro needed thoro."
"Thank you," sho said with n happy
smllo, "Won't you como back? Such
nn opportunity Is waiting for you.
nesldcB. r could never play 'Cordelia
with anyono but you, and you muat be
my teacher."
Morry did not answer Immediately.
Dorcas had grown accuetomed to tho
long pausos In thoir conversation and
waited quietly. When ho looked up
mokes llfo worth while, If bo hns gonl
down into tho depths and still has the
desire como to tako up llfo again. Is
thoro any quality loft that will help
him?"
"Yea," Dorcas moved no If by a sud
den Impulso and laid her fingers upon
tho man's nrm; "he has honor. 8c
long as ono is a man of honor, there
is no end of a chnnco."
"A man of honor I" Ab ho repented
tho words his faco paled suddenly. It
was tho samo nttrlbuto which Enoch
had accorded to blm.
Dorcas watched him Intently, ncr
oyes full of eager anticipation. 8he
could eoo him undergo some strange
mental struggle. When ho looked at
EXTENSIVE EPIDEMIC OF HOG CHOLERA
lllli T jlVn( ...v
a k
III
dBHBrjF fJaHQV 4f dBHHst'ssslEisVsslsssssVJIsssssssssslHPW f ?fi
A
Healthy Bunch of Hogn.
"I Promise to Stand by You," Sh
Whispered.
hor his faco had changed. Instead ol
apathy there were lines of grim doter
ruination about his mouth.
"Miss Dorcaa," ho Bald slowly
"mako 'Cordelia' tho woman you are
yourself. I am weak and broken now,
as 'John Estorbrook was; still o
chance camo to him at tho end. 1
will do the beet I can If you stand
by mo."
Dorcas stooped for a second. With
a caressing touch sho swept tho loch
from his forehead. "I promise to
stand by you," sho whispered. "Good
night
CHAPTER X.
Zllla Paget
"Do you mind If I am atroclouslj
frank with you?"
It was Grant Oswald who epoko J
Enoch Wontworth and. ho Bat far baci
in tho darkened orchestra at tho Goth
am, watching a rehearsal.
Wentworth noddod, but turned t
Btartled glance upon the man beside
him.
"Simply because I know how power
ful your play Is, I want to suggest a
touch that will make it stronger."
"What?"
"Understand, this is not criticism
If you don't think well of it we'll novel
mention it again." Oswald ap
nroached the Bubject diplomatically
Ho had begun to discover a strangely
uneven temper In Enoch. There were
days when ho stood upon tho heights
of triumphant anticipation, then came
intervals vhen ovorythlng and cvery
body were at odds.
"What did you think of changing?"
"It Is not changing," Oswald spoke
thoughtfully. "What I havo in mind
l elaboration. You havo mado 'Cor
della a loyal, tender woman, but the i
mothor ought to be moro or a ion to
hor. Sho Is cruel now, yaln, selfish
n,wi .inoottful. hut she is not bad
. T 11. Ann Via lr-.f T V rt. '
enouen. wnen it vnu uu uuui, u
Hove In choosing an a.ctrcss who hai
something in common with tho role
she is to play. Character comes oul
every time, even In acting. Don't you
agreo with me?"
"To a certain extent."
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
NOVEL THAT PLEASED DUMAS
Great Romancer Had Given Hla Name
to Book That He Was Unable
to Recognize.
Prepared by tho United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
Tho country is passing through tho
third serious epidemic of hog cholera
Df tho past 30 years, according to tho
department or agriculture. The first
period reached Its climax in 1880 to
1887, when the loss amounted to
about 134 per 1,000 head in one year.
Tho second outbreak developed In
1894, and reached Its climax in 1800
to 1897, when losses amounted to
141 per 1,000 head. The present ex
tensive epidemic or hog cholera began
to bo serious in 1911; during tho ten
prior years tho loss of swtno ranged
from 45 to 58 per 1,000 per year; In
1911 it Jumped to 89, then to 110 in
1S12, and to 119 last year, about 90
per cent of which may be attributed
to cholera. It has thoroughly ravaged
tho heart of tho hog-produclng belt
during tho year Just past. In tho
state of Iowa alone, losses amounted
to nearly 1,800,000 swlno, over a fourth
of the entire number in tho state. In
many counties over half wero lost,
and In some townships over nine
tenths. Tho losses of swine rrom disease
are estimated by the department at
119 to every 1,000 hogs in tho country,
which exceeds las year's heavy loss
o 110 per 1,000, and tho average year
ly loss In tho preceding ten years or
E4.9 per 1,000. Probably moro than
90 per cent or the loss was from
cholera. Tho percentage of loss ap
plied to tho estimated number or hogs
on January 1 indicates a total loss of
7,005,000 head, which, at $10.40, tho
valuo per head on January 1, indi
cates a loss or $73,000,000. Tho aver
age weight or a hog on the farm la
about 150 pounds, therefore moro than
one billion pounds of hog moat were
destroyed by disease, mostly cholera.
A billion pounds llvo weight produce
nearly 800,000,000 pounds of dressed
meat nnd lard. This amount would bo
sufficient to furnish ovory family or
tho United States (average four and a
half persons) about 40 pounds. If
there had been no such loss, probably
increasing scarcity or meat would
havo been largely prevented.
Tho losses or swlno from disease
aro usuallj heaviest In southern states
and lightest in northern states. Esti
mates ot losses havo been kept for
30 years. Tho states showing tho
heaviest average yearly loss in theso
30 years aro, in their order, Arkansas,
119 per 1,000; Louisiana, 110; Florida,'
109; tho states showing tho lightest
losses aro Maine, 19; ''Wyoming, 19;
New Hampshire, 22. In Georgia tho
J averngo is 94, in Alabama and Missis
sippi, each 92; in Texas, uo; wnereas,
In New York tho average 1b 20, In
Michigan, 34; In Minnesota, 46; In
North Dakota, 31, and In Washington
and Oregon, 26.
Tho epidemic has abated somewhat
In tho past year, as compared with tho
preceding year, In most southern
states, but has increased greatly In
tho northern states. Thus, in Florida
the loss has decreased from 170 per
1,000 In 1912 to 150 in 1913; in Geor
gia, from 165 to 90; in Alabama, from
110 to 100; in Mississippi, from 154
to 104; in Kentucky, from 95 to 90;
in Mfaspuri, from 175 to 90; whereas
In Iowa the loss has increased rrom
160 per 1,000 in 1912 to 255 per 1,000
in 1913; in Minnesota, from 55 to 214:
In Nebraska, from 110 to 175; in South
Dakota, from 38 to 230, and In North
Dakota, from 20 to 75. The tendency
of the three epidemics appears to
havo been, in a general way, to movo
as a wave rrom South and East to
North and West
CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD DRAG
Detailed Instructions and Illustration
Given for Making Implement to
Improve Highways.
OBSTIPATION IN THE HORSE
Many Thousands of Dollars Lost to
Farmers From Cause That Might
Be Easily Prevented.
Select a good yellow pine, ash, or
oak plank 2 Inches thick, 12 inches
nrlHo nrwl 14 fp.fit lone. Cut this in
, ot n nnr.i n that one edce or fatal obstruction to tho bowels
each pieco is 7 reot and 6 inches long 1 horses that como to the notice ot tho
h nthrtV oriL'R la 6 feot and 0 veterinarians oi mo v,oiuruuu ru.
V w (3 -
(By GEORGE II. GLOVER, Colorado Ag
ricultural Collcfje.)
Judging by tho number of cases of
in
and
inches long. Spiko to the back and
along tho center of each of theso
planks a 2 by 6-lnch piece, which re
inforces the plank. Boro tho holes for
the cross stakos about 26 Inches apart
and 4 Inches from each end with a
I
I "-
When tho younger Dumas read the
manuscript or "Camlllo" to hlB father,
that groat romancor was much moved
by this evidenco of tho genius oi
his son. "Alexandre," ho Is reported
to havo said, with tears in his oyes
and groat solemnity in his voice,
"you have composed a work that will
live aa long as my own!"
In this connection ono Is reminded
of the period In tho famous story-teller's
career when, at the height of hla
vocno. ho coirtd not turn out hlB tales
rast enough to satisfy his ciamormB
publishers, nnd It became necessary
for him to employ collaborators, to
whom ho sketched tho plot, perhaps,
leaving thorn to do tho rest. Among
tho most distinguished was Paul
MnnrlpR.
Thus it camo about that neunw
was tho author of ono of the most
amusing novels ot Dumas, "Lcs Deux
D)anes."v Dumas whon travoling
found this novel In a hotel, and opened
It to pass away tho time. Ho began
reading it seriously, got Interested in
it. and was amusod. Presently somo
ono camo to his room and found I him
with "Los Deux Dlanes" In his hand.
"i ntn rending." com uumas. in r-
spoubo to ft question, "a novel of my I
own which I uia noi khuw, huu u...
pleases mo vastly."
It was Dumas who said, whon lolt
to himself, "I am never bored when
I have my own company." Tho Sun
day Magazine.
Plan of Road Drag.
2-lnch auger, using care to keep tho
augor perpendicular to tho plank. The
2 bv 4-lnch brace at tho front end
Bhould start from tho middle of tho
roar nlank and dron to tho bottom
part of tho front plank. Tho blade,
which Is generally mado or stock cut
tor steel, should bo given the proper
cutting slope by placing a wedgo
shaped strip between It and the plank.
Ono end or tho chain Is rastenea to a
cross atako and tho other passes
through a, hole In tho plank and la
held in position by ft pin.
tural college, there must be many
thousands of dollars lost to farmers
ovory Tear rrom this cause. And thla
is a condition that might easily bo
prevented.
In1 tho winter time tho roughage la
dry and succulence must be provided.
A horso with good teeth and red al
falfa, timothy, bluestem, or other well
cured hays, combined with grain and
plenty of water, will seldom be af
rected, with Impacted intestines, but a
ration of straw, or bleached alfalfa
stemB picked up in tho fields, com
bined with a low vitality, cold, poor
teeth, and only snow or otherwise a
limited amount df water, will furnish
conditions which make fatal obstruc
tion or tho bowels possible.
Tho poorer tho feed the more an ani
mal must eat, and a ration or straw or
poor quality or hay, does not furnish
sufficient nutriment to mako it pos
sible ror a horso to eat enough to sup
port life. He eats inordinate quan
tities of this highly indigestible food
which produces distention, atony and
! Anally paralysis of tho bowels.
Most of theso cases cannot do
treated successfully but prevention la
ea,sy. After all, It does not pay to
keep animals unless ono knowB how
nnd Is willing to care for them from
tho day they aro born.
Silken Webs Filled With Caterpillars
Should Be Cut Out and Burned
With Kerosene.
(By E. VAN BENTHUYSEN.)
Thor in no sreater eyesore in coun
try surroundings than tho silkon weba
filled with dark-colored, whlto-halred
caterpillars which abound on) tho trees
or orchard and lawn.
Those should not be conrounded
with tho tent caterpillar, which
abounds In early summer. They are
the larvao of a mota wnicn nies ui
night, and varies In color from pure
white to white thickly studded with
brown spots.
Tho moths emerge in May or Juno
from nunnn which hftYO passed tho
winter under looso soil and rubbish at
the foot of tho tree.
The eggs aro placed In clusters near
tho tips ot tho branches. On hatching,
tho process of wob-bulldlng and entlng
begins, and soon a iare ciubwi iuj
bo formed.
Cut tho nests and burn with kero
sene, or spray with arsonltes, using
Bufflclent force to penetrate tho web.
V
I
EYESORE ON ORCHARD TREES SPRAY TO PREVENT' DISEASE
Rot of Tomatoes May Be Avoided If
Bordeaux Is Used Disorder En
couraged by Weather.
This aiseaBo often attacks plants
that arc, not spVayed, It Is first notlce
ablo as Bmall, black or brown spots on
the leaves and stems of tho plantB,
occurring first on tho lower and old
er leaves; but with favorable weather
It spreads rapidly till tho plant 'a do
foliated, and tho opots on the stoma
havo coalesced Into irregular, blackish
patches.
If a piece ot bark with theso spots
be examined under a high-power mi
croscope, innumerable, small, crescent
shaped bodies may bo seen.
These are tho fruiting spores of the
fungus. Spray with bordeaux.
Nourishing Drink.
If you oversleep and tho good man
nf tho houBo does not have tlmo to
At hla breakfast mako him a gen-
rhor.UtaWUh;rp;-cp of ... and add I to It a
." r v. '. uiJ. MUnt fnr nil hnatmt cbk and plenty ot cream. He
riurlnc ono sneechloBS moment for all
hlB shortcomings, for shirked reBpon
Blbllltle8 nud failure.
"Mla Dorcas." ho Bald, "when a. man
has lost hopo, ambition, hlB faith In
him the full' confession of his down-1 human naturo and everything that
can drink this in ono mlnuto una wm
scarcely hUbb his breakfast Peoplo
often havo egg drinlA at soda foun
tains, but seldom think ot proparlrp
them at home.
Crop of Cowpeas.
Cowncas may bo Bown broadcast,
using from .4 to C pecks por aero. Tho
pii varies somewhat In size, there
fore tho amount to use varlos accord
ingly. Tho peas nro cut and cured nbout
tho Bamo as clover or alfalfa hay. It
is a common practUo to let tho cow
peas remain In tho swath from 21 to
36 hours before raKing ana cooKing.
It Is tho practise of somo to run a
tedder oTor the field as soon as tho
upper leaves havo wilted.
Value of Corn Husks.
Corn husks, If they are not dry, are
Juat as valuablo for feed as tho stalk
or leaves of tho plant. Howover, 11
tho corn la left to mature thoroughly
and tho corn husks got very rlpo and
dry, thoy aro of little valuo. Much ot
tho Btarch and sugar la then turnod
to woody fiber and they aro so dry and
ripe that thoy nro very unpalatablo
and contain a largo amount of liber.
I
&"
i
A
Examine the Ewes.
Every owe should be examined
twice each day to ascertain whether
tho lambs tako all tho milk, or wheth
er they uso only ono side of tho udder. 3
.. . - .... .!.... It !.... .1., t. ...- A VI
II moro IB a ourpiuu, ik ouuutu uo - jvj
moved In order to keep the udder from
caking. It will be wise to examine 'V
tho uddor ot each ewe for at leai
three daya jl
!i