poor some woi
Tho Last Day for Introducing Bills Has
Oomo and Qono.
AN AVALANCHE Of MEASURES
Tho gntnrlc Appropriation IJIIt Number
of Mumires tlmt Ilnyo lleeii Intro
duced Miscellaneous Mutters In the
Upper and Lower llrnnches.
I
HOUSE. In tho houso on tho 27th
flvo bills wcro passed, ns follows:
Houso roll 205, by Boyd, to authorize
district Rchool boards to prcscrlbo
grades and courses of study. YcaB 72,
nays none. Houso roll 22G, by Fow
ler, for tho protections of own
ers of stallions, Jacks und buds.
Yeas 52, nnys 34. Houso roll 176, by
Lane, to permit tho transfer of Insauo
convicts to lnsano asylums. Yens 80,
nayB 1. Houso roll 227, by Hawxby, to
provide for tho organization, govern
ment and maintenance of rural high
schools. Yeas 77, nays 7. Houso roll
221, by Fowler, to enablo pupils to at
tend school in an adjoining district If
n half mtio nearer their rcsldenco than
their own school. Yeas 81, nays 1.
Representative Fowler's bill to enablo
county treasurers to glvo tax doeds,
which has met with strong opposition
over slnco Its introduction, but which
was nevertheless pushed along clear
to Its third reading, was put on Its
passago and defeated by tho decisive
voto of 30 yeas nnd C8 nays. After the
hugo grist of bills Introduced yester
day had been put through a second
reading the houso at 4 o'clock nd
Journed. Tho senatorial vote resulted
us follows: Thompson, 38; Currlo,
16; Melklojohn, 22; Rosewatcr, 4;
Hlnshaw, 4: Martin, 2; Crounso 5;
Harlan, 4; Young, 2; scattering, 2.
HOUSE. Feb. 26th was tho fortieth
day of tho session nnd tho last day re
maining for tho Introduction of bills
brought forth a great grist of eleventh-hour
moasuros, Including all the
npproprlntlon bills, all tho latter being
In skeleton form nnd Incomplete, with
tho exception of tho salaries appro
priation bill. 'Among tho items in tho
claims appropriation bill arc tho fol
lowing: S. It. Towne, $1,254.1G; An
drew Ilosowater, $1,000; Rosa V. Scott,
525; Jnmes H. Craddock, $1,319; Mur
phy & Swain, $370; Crane-Churchill
company, ?779.81; Crocker, Wholer &
Co., $337.83; W. 13. Price, $800, F. 1).
Hlbbard, $2,513.30; W. F. Wright,
$950; J. F. Kelper, $025; J. T. Stee'.o,
$812.45; F. L. Mary, $295; J. W.
Thompson, $2,586.08; Nora E. Morrow,
$1,500; Laura 11. Taylor, $7,507.65;
Georgo F. Corcoran, $917.30; Postal
Telegraph company, $275; L. W. Ponj
erano $704.74; E. C. Rowlck, $213.31;
D. A. Campboll, $511; S. A. D. Shilling,
$567.60; C. S. Polk, $1,760; E. A.
Brown, $1,787.50; Express Publishing
company, $1,787.50; Norfolk News, $1,
677.50; Qeddes & Buechler, $1,677.50;
Nebraska State Journal. $1,077.50; Bco
Publishing company, $1,077.50. Tho
total appropriation carried by the
claims' bill is $45,796.15. Among tho
largo number of bills Introduced oc
cur the following: An act for a Joint
resolution to amend section 15 of ar
tlclo 3 of tho constitution of tho state
of Nebraska; providing that cities of
100,000 population or more may frame
charter for their own government. A
bill for tho payment of tho salaries of
tho ofllccrs of tho state government
and other Institutions. Joint resolu
tion and memorial invoking congress
to call a national convention for pro
posing amendments to the constitution
of the United States. An act making
an appropriation of miscellaneous
items of Indebtedness owing by the
state of Nebraska; containing nn in
complete list of deficiency claims an
proved by tho committee on deficien
cies. Tho voto for United Stntes sen
ator resulted ns follows: Allen, S7;
Berge, 7; Crounse, S; Currie, 14; Dor-
rlngton. 1: Harlan, 2: Harrington, 5;
Halner, 4; Hitchcock, 21; Hlnshaw,
11; Kinkald, 2; Martin, 6; Melklejohn,
29; Ransom, 1; Rosewater, 15;
Thompson, D. E 37; Thompson, W.
H., 31; Wethcreld, 4;, Young, 1.
HOUSE Business In tho houso on
the 22nd was limited to tho Intro
duction of bills, committee reports
and tho consideration of house roll
260 in commltteo of tho whole. The
bill is by Fowler and extends from
two to flvo years tho time within
wklch foreclosure on tnx certificates
may not bo begun. It was debated
nt length, being championed by Fow
lor and Coppoc nnd opposed by Loo
mis, Mockott and others. It was fi
nally recommended for Indefinite post
ponement, and the report adoptod by
tho houso on roll call by a voto of 45
to 39. Among bills Introduced occur
tho following: A bill for nn act to
amend section 37 of chnptcr 19, enti
tled "Court3, Supremo nnd D'strlct,
of tho compiled statutes of 1899, and
to repeal said section as now exist
ing. To prohibit district nnd su
premo court Judges from rccolvlng or
using freo railroad transportation. A
hill for nn n"t concerning trust com
panies, governing tho manner of in
corporation and regulating their man
ner of doing business. A Dill for nn
net to amend section 8, chapter 41 of
tho compiled statutes of Nebraska of
1899. entitled "Days to Be Observed
ns Holidays," and to repeal said or
iginal section. To mako o'.octlon day
lnimi lmilrinv ca rozards commercial
paper. At noon tho houso went Into
joint convention and on emerging
therefrom adjourned until next Tues
day morning at 11 o'clock. Following
-was the voto for senator: Allen, 30;
rinriro 8 . Crounso. 7: Currie, 13; Hal
ner, 4; Harlan, 2; Hlnshaw, 12; Hitch
O'Ncll, 1.
HOUSE. In tho house
bills were Introduced:
rlmnter vill of section
on tho 21st
To nmend
20, entitled
"Banks." Provldos that no oiucor, di
rector or omployo shall bo permitted
to borrow monoy from banks where
employed without giving security or
endorser who Is not n stockholder. 1 o
punish any porson or peisons who
shall In any nowspapor, magazine, po-
cock, 11; Kinunio, i; luurun, u; wm
klejohn, 28; RoEowator, 14; Thomp
son, D. E.. 35; Thompson, W. II., 35;
Mondenhall, 1; Harrington, 1; H.
rlodlcal, pa.mpMt, dmilnr, or In any
other manner within tho Btnto of No
braska, carlcnturo any person without
first securing said person or persons'
consont in writing. Fixes flno for each
offenso nt from $25 to $100, To require
tho state of Nebraska to ns3lst tho
Boveral counties in tho building nnd
maintenance of bridges in certain
enscs. To consolidate, combine and
unify the public service of tho Btntc
oi Nebraska for tho promotion of ag
ricultural industry by creating n coun
cil of ngrlculture nnd donning lta
duties, nnd repealing laws and parts
of laws conflicting therewith. To
amend section 59 of nn net cntltod "An
net Incorporating metropolitan cities
and defining, prescribing and regulat
ing their duties, powers and govern
ment. To amend section 3 of chapter
xxvlll of tho Statutes, relating to fees
for clerk of tho district court. To ro
requlre uniformity of charges for
transportation of goods in carload lots.
nnd for switching cars for Individuals
or corporations by railroad companies.
To nniond chapter xxvil of article 1,
entitled "Revenue," relating to assess
ment of property. H. R. 425. by Brown
To nmend section 5 of chapter I of tho
statutes. Fixes liquor license nt $500
for all cities nnd villages of not over
5,000 population, reducing tho limit
from 10,000.
SENATE. Tho senato on tho 27th
turned down tho report of tho commlt
teo on education recommending that
tho bill proposing to take tho annual
tax levy from tho school board of
Omaha nnd place It with the city coun
cil bo Indefinitely postponed, nnd In
stead ordered it to tho general flic.
Tho bill rolatlng to compulsory educa
tion recommended by tho legislative
commltteo of tho stnto teachers asso
ciation was ordered to tho gonoral
fllo. It is senate fllo 231, by McCar
gar. Tho clerk of tho houso announced
passago of houso rolls 150, 20G and 223
and nsked the senate to concur in the
same. Senate fllo 269, by Trompen, on
request relating to purchnse or lease
of nn appropriate school site by school
boards, was indefinitely postponod.
Sonato fllo 711, by Ransom, providing
ror publication of proposed amend
ments to tho constitution was also
placed on general fllo. It was recom
mended for Indefinite postponement,
but Ransom and Miller mado a fight
that saved it temporarily, at least.
Senator Edgar was tho only ono to
speak for postponement. Oleaon,
O Ncill nnd Young each favored send
ing it to tho general fllo that discus
sion in coramittco of tho whole might
bo permitted. Youug said, though,
that ho Intends voting against tho
measuro at that time.
SENATE. Today, February 26, was
tho fortieth day of tho session, tho
last day on which bills can bo intro
duced, except upon a recommendation
by the governor. As n result, a great
er portion of tho day In tho senato was
devoted to tho reading- of new mils,
a large number being introduced dur
ing tho afternoon, there being twenty
two bills Bent up during tho day. Aside
from this tho senato found time to
listen to tho reports of sovoral com
mittees, nnd bills on second reading,
as well as to pas3 seven bills nnd kill
one. The total number of bills Intro
duced during tho present session has
fallen somewhat short, the record be
ing 309, as compared with 355 two
years ago, 383 four years ago and 411
six years ago. Two years ago the
last day for tho introduction of bills
cnlled forth moro than 100, nnd a
night session had to bo called in order
to havo them read, whllo today tho
consideration of new bills was dis
posed of by 5 o'clock and no night
session is necessary. The first bill of
tho session was Introduced by Senator
Nowell and tho last ono by Senator
Van Bosklrk. The following bills canto
up for third reading and were passed:
Senate fllo 42, by Ransom, nn act to
protect feeble-minded females. Son
ato fllo 64, by Crounse, amending tho
law relating to ."Ptltlons In Error."
Sonate fllo 115, by Arends, providing
for a prohibitive Uccnso for peddlers,
Its object being tho protection of re
tail merchants. Senato fllo 180, by
Miller, relating to tho collection of
road tax. House roll 38, by Fuller, an
act to provide for the mowing or oth
erwise destroying of weeds In tho pub
lic roads. House roll 89, by Warner,
an act providing for the examination
by county superintendents of appli
cants for admission to the Stato Nor
mal schools. House roll 201, by Swan-
son, an act to transfer the sinking
fund to tho general fund, and to pro
vide for tho credit of this and direct
hereafter.
SENATE A bill wns Introduced In
tho senate on the 22nd to prevont
county, township, municipal nnd
school board cfllcer3 from contracting
with or being interested in nny con
tracts with tho corporation of which
thoy are officers. Its author is Sen
ator Martin of Richardson county.
Tho moaauro, which has an emer
gency clnuso attached, Is nB follows:
"Section 1. No county, township, mu
nicipal or school board offl ors shall
contract with nor Lo intoiested di
rectly or indirectly in any contract
with tho corporation of which ho or
they nre such officer or officers, nor
shall thny permit nny supplies or ma
terial for tho use of, nor ha Intorestol
directly or lndlrect'.y In tho furnish
ing of any such supplies or mat?r,n'.
Section 2. Any such officer violating
nny of tho provisions of this net shall
bo flncd In nny sum not exceoaing
$500 or Imprisoned In tho county Jail
not exceeding threo months, In the
discretion of the court." On recom
mendation of tho commlttoa to which
they had bcon referred two blllH wero
then dUposed of, ns follows: Senato
fllo 224, by Young, to pass. It Is to
amend section 1020 of tho civil codo
nnd to deflno when n tenaut shall bo
deemed holding over beyond tho time
of his lease. Houso loll 189, by Roh
wer, to pass. This is to permit two
or moro county superintendents, with
approval and co-operation o tho Etato
superintendent, to organize and con
duct joint institutes.
SENATE. Tho senato on the 21st
indulged In the whotcsalo slaughter of
Insurance measures by adopting tho
ronort of Its L.suranco commlttoa re
commending threo Sills for indefinite
postponement. Representative Swan-
boii's bill to permit the state treasurer
to transfer tho sinking fund to the
rccneral fund was ordered engrossed
for a third reading. It Is houso roll
201 Mtt taa already passed the house.
Senator Steele's bill, sonnto fllo 91,
drawn nnd recommended by ofllccrs of
the national guard, establishing a
military code for the Btnto nnd to pro
vide for organization, government nnd
compensation of tho organized mllltln,
wnB recommended for pasnago. H. C.
Lindsay, prlvato secretary of Governor
Dietrich, read a mcssago to the stnto
announcing that tho governor had at
tached his slgunturo to house roll 49
nnd senato file 49. A number of bills
wero read for first time, among them
being n bill to provide for the leas
ing of certain lands belonging to tho
Btato of Nebraska, known ns "peniten
tiary lands," nnd not othcrwlso pro
vided for by statute, for tho disposal
of funds nrlslng therefrom nnd to re
peal conflicting nets.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
With the last day for tho Introduc
tion of bills passed, tho record shows
that In tho sonnto there were a total
of 309 bills Introduced, or nn avcrago
of about nine nnd n half for each of
tho thlrty-thrco members. Tho rec
ords, however, show that somo of tho
members were much more nctlvo in
this work than wcro others. Senator
Martin lo responsible for thlrty-thrco
bills. Scnntor Ransom comes next with
twenty-four, with Young of Stanton
close on his heels with twenty-threo.
Scnntor Bnlbrldgo, although having
been absent since enrly in tho session
on account of slckucssr comes fourth,
thcro being seventeen measures bear
ing his name.
M. F. Harrington of O'Neill todny
mado an argument before tho houso
commltteo on railroads, having under
consideration senato fllo 166, Senator
Weber's bill, cutting freight rates on
certain commodities from 10 to 15
por cent. Cattle, hogs, horses, lum
ber, coal and hay nro tho principal
commodities affected. This reduction
is on tho rates which wore in forco
December, 1889. Mr. Harrington dis
cussed tho decision of the supremo
court on tho maximum freight law
and contended that tho decision wns
tho only ono that could bo rendored
upon the facts that wero prosented to
th court, but argued that that decision
did not prevent tho legislative power
from passing a bill reducing rates.
Forty-threo bills were introduced in
tho houso on tho 26th. bringing tho
total number of btllB submitted In the
ono brnncn up to 478.
Tho salaries appropriation bill,
houso roll 430, by Lane, carries a to
tal appropriation of $879,800, ob
against $875,880 in tho salary bill
passed two years ngo. On tho wholo
salarlos havo been slightly raised, but
no provision has been mado for sala
ries of tho threo secretaries of tho
stnto bonrd of transportation, which
mndo an item of $13,000 two years ago.
Secretary McKesson of tho sonato
has sprung an agreeable surprise in
tho shapo of a printed senato calendar
giving In an eight-pngo folder the exact
status of every bill that has been be
fore the senate. The list is corrected
up to February 26 and will probably
bo revised from week to week and re
issued. From it one can learn at n
glanco what has become of each sen
ate bill, whether passed, on general
file, indefinitely postponed or still in
tho hands of its appropriate commit
too. A list of house bills that havo
reached tho senato Is also appended
with similar information as to their
exlstenco and whoreabouts.
Tho appropriations made for tho va
rlous departments and institutions aro
as follows: Govornor s ofllco, $1G,4S0;
adjutant general's office, $17,980; labor
commissioner's office, $6,GS0; secretary
of stato'8 ofllco, 15,080; auditor's of
fice, $29,360; treasurer's office, $15,780;
stato superintendent's office, $8,080; at
torney general's office, $12,080; land
commissioner's ofllco, $20,880; stato li
brary, $1,800; department of banking,
$0,680; board of irrigation, $10,480;
nsn commissioner, $2,400; supremo
court, $33,500; district court, $224,000;
homo for friendless, $G,50t); state nor
mal at Peru. $45,000: hospital nt Hast
ings, $10,400; hospital at Lincoln, $10,
400; hospital at Norfolk, $8,000; stato
university, $270,000; Kenrney indus
trial scliool, $17,200: Geneva industrial
school, $10,980; deaf nnd dumb insti
tute at Omaha, $30,000; Beatrice Insti
tute, $12,400: instituto for blind. $10.
000; Mllford Industrial homo, $7,720;
soldiers' home at Grand Island, $1,4G0;
soldiers' homo nt Mllford, $3,980.
Tho sennto commlttoa on nubile
lands and buildings, composed of Sen
ators Allen, loung, Trompen, Arenas,
Berlet, Owens, Steele, Lyman and
Krumbach, went to Omnha for tho
purpose of looking into tho needs of
tho Instituto for tho Deaf and Dumb,
located In that city.
Tho houso held but n half dny scs
slon on tho 22nd. Most of the time
was devoted to n discussion of the
merits of Representative Fowloi's bill
relating to tho redemption of laud
sold for taxes. In commlttoo of th3
wholo tho measuro was ro-ommondo.l
for Indeflnlto postponement, and this
rocommendntlon was afterward car
ried out by tho houso. It was urgoJ
thnt tho bill conflicted with tho torms
of nnother measuro favorably pas d
upon by tho commlttoa of tho wholo
nnd awaiting flnal consideration.
Senator Crounso Introduced n bill
which provides for tho sale, olthor at
miction or prlvnto sale, of the prop
erty belonging to tho stato nnd known
as tho governor s mansion, tho bill
providing that tho money shall bo
turned Into tho state treasury.
Scnntor Miller's bill, providing for
stipulated sums to bo paid county
commissioners provides thnt county
commissioners and county supervisors
shall each bo allowed for tho tlmo
thoy shall ho actually and uocessnrlly
omploycd In tho dutlC3 of tltolr office
tho sum of $3 por day, and C cents por
mllo for each milo necessarily trav
eled; provided, however, that In conn
ties not having moro than 5,000 in
habitants their per diem shall not ex
ceed $100 per year.
Mil Jni-lly AKitdiKt Tipping.
Aro waiters bonoflted by fees In
vlow of tho fact that thoy make om
ployors glvo them lower wages? Of
thlrty-nlno associations of hosts an
wnltern In Germany to whom this
quostlon was put only fourtcon an
swored yes, whllo twentv-flvo said no
A school teacher sayo ho whips his
pupils to mako them smart.
It Is a woman, nnd not her wrongs,
that needs to bo re-dressed.
. J COMTAJVIOJ
"By JLoufoa "Bedford.
CHAPTER XIII.
To Clarice, tho consciousness of a
hew lover, who waited only for tho
faintest sign of encouragement from
her to declnro himself, brought un
doubted consolation for tho effort It
had cost her to renounce tho old lovo;
but Jnncttn drooped nnd pined for
some tidings of tho'mnn who had taken
her heart by storm nnd hold It fast
Harry Mcrlvalo.
Sho saw his arrival in Englnnd re
corded In tho dally paper. Later on
sho noticed that his valuable services
n tho lato campaign wero to bo ro-
warded by a high appointment In tho
war office.
Manettn," said Clarice, ono dny In
Juno, "nro you going to wear black
clothes for the rest of your days? It s
more than a 'year slnco your brother
died."
"I'll go Into colors again, If you
Uko," answered Jnnotta, obedient to
CInrlco's faintest wish. "Como up
with mo to London tomorrow nnd you
shnll choose, my dresses for me."
"I'm nfrald you must go nlonc, Jan-
etta, because 'becauso Sir Robert has
telegraphed to say that ho will bo hero
and I must bo nt homo to rccclvo
him."
Jnnetta looked up quickly, nnd Clar-
Ico'b eyes fell beforo tho questioning
glnnco. "Is it that you havo given him
leavo to como, Clarlco?"
'Well, yes," Clarlco admitted, hair
reluctantly. "Ho loves mo ns I bellovo
nover woman was loved before a mil
lion times moro than I'm worth loving
nnd I'm going to marry him. And
1'vo got It Into my bond that I wlsu
you to mark tho occasion by dropping
your black frock. So go to Ixindon nnd
como back in tho prettiest dress you
can buy."
"Oh. my dear, my dear!" crlod Jan-
otta, betweon laughter and tears, "how
happy you havo mado mo how happy
you will imako tho man who marries
you! I'm so glad, so glad, that I feel
as If I could sob my heart out ror very
joy." . . .
That day Clarlco wroto a short note
to Harry Merlvalo asking him to como
down on tho following nftornon and
enond tho nlcht at Sen Grange.
"Suroly It Is time wo met again, sno
wrote. Sho said nothing or ner invita
tion to Jnnetta; but asked her to bo
Buro and return to Northcllff by a cer
tain train sho named in tho nftcrnoon
"And you nro to como back in that
now frnMr .Tnniytta. Sir Robert Will
bo here, remombor."
So It camo to pass that, on that Juno
afternoon. Janotta stood on tho plat
form ,of London station, .proparou to
return to Northcllff. Sho was dressed
In a nolo gray costumo, with soft frills
about hor throat, and a largo gray hat
with drooping feathers, and stood by
tho door of hor carrlago, unconscious
of tho many glances of admiration that
wero cast at her as tho passengers nur
rled by.
Sho -was thinking of her first journey
to Northcllff, only sixteen months ngo,
and feeling that a Ilfetlmo scorned to
havo nassed slnco then.
"nnnrl nvenlne. Miss Howard, bliail
wo travel together?" said a volco bo
hind hor. And. turning, sho found
herself faco to faco with tho man of
her dreams.
It was impossible to keep tho tumul
tuous Joy that his presonco brought
with it out of hor greeting.
A fabulously largo tip to tho guard
insured tholr privacy; and Harry could
not roprcsB a little triumphant laugh
as the train steamed out or tno sta
tion. Thon for tho flrst tlmo Janotta
trusted herself to look steadily at him.
Ho was bronzed with oxposuro to sun
and weather: ho was thlnner.too; per
haps not so Btrlctly handsome as whon
he had gone away, but tho faco had
Rained much In nobility.
"You know I should como, Jnnetta,
You wero certain that, whom It scorned
right nnd flttlng, I should como?"
"I was not quito Bure," Janetta fal
tered.
"Thon you ought to havo been, my
darling, my darllngl" Bald Harry,
drawing nearer. "I can't bo mistaken
Janetta. Lovo llko mine have Its echo
in your henrt."
"Yes," said Janottn, simply. And
tho next Instant Harry's arms closed
round her.
"Oh, what will Clarice Bay?" cried
Janotta. when tho train drew up at
Northcllff an hour or do later.
"Sho is hero to speak for horBolf,'
.taid Harry, Jumping on tho platform
"and Drako Is with her."
(Tho End.)
Thcro Is no need to mention tho
nnmo of his regiment hero. Thnt Is
secret that belongs to tho army nlono
Suffice It to say that his comrades aro
proud of his namo.
Ho should never havo entered tho
army at nil, much 1cb3 a hard riding
cavalry regiment, which had a roputa
tlon to sustain l)y a yearly tribute of
broken nocks nnd collar bones.
Hrs proper vocation was that of
llnon draper's assistant, and ho had
filled that occupation very satlsfactor
lly till ono evil day ho had fallen In
lovo with n girl, a silly, shallow girl
nt whom no practical man or boy
would havo taken a second look.
Ho ndored hor, nnd sho adored sol
dlcrs. In their walks abroad hIio would
direct his steps toward tho Horso
guards or Wellington barracks, thnt
sho might gazo In admiration nt tho
fine, strapping soldiers who wero to bo
seen there, and every tlmo sho pinched
his arm nnd exclaimed: "Oh, Jnck.
look nt that lovely soldier!" his heart
gnro him a pnng nt tho thought that
ho wns only a draper's nsolstnnt, with
nothing In common with tho military
but tho handling of red cloth! Ho was
dreamer by nature, and falling In
lovo did not IcsBon his weakness In
this direction. Dreaming Is pardon
nblo in a poet, but an unpnrdonnblo
crlmo In n llnon draper's assistant, nnd
ns ho stood nt his counter his mind
wns fnr awny from his work. Instead
of listening to tho "Forward!" of tho
shopwnlkcr ho could only hear tho
short-flung word of command nnd tho
blaro of tho bugles that Bounded
through his dreams; whercforo It wns
not long beforo ho enmo Into conflict
with his practlcnl chief. A few sharp
words passed. Ho throw up in threo
seconds a position it hnd taken bIx
years of hard, unremitting labor to
attain. Then ho enlisted.
Ho gained his tltlo on his first dis
play In tho riding school, where, after
n short rldo on tho neck of tho riding
master's pot fouck Jumper, ho turnod
deathly palo and crlod aloud that ho
might bo allowed to dismount
Tho horso nt onco gratified his Jo-
8lro by throwing him on to tho tan,
where ho lny trembling In ovory limb,
much to tho diversion of a couplo of
rough riders who wero standing by.
Thoy woro quick to Inform tholr re
spective squadrons, and his former oc
cupation being known, ho was prompt
ly christened Whlto Feathor.
In those dark days It was tho Joy of
tho moro hardy recruits to tako him
asldo solemnly and request tho sorvlco
of threo ponco threo farthings worth
of whlto feathers. Any morsel of
down or fluff that might float Into tho
barracks was promptly enptured and
presented to him with duo ceremonies
by Trumpeter Pipes, tho low comedian
of tho regiment.
Tho older men forcboro to Join In
with these somewhat tiring repetitions
of a Btalo Joke. They remomborod their
own experlencca In tho riding school
nnd recognized that Whlto Feather
was a quiet nnd Inoffensive fellow, de
void of tho Impudence nnd bad man
ners peculiar to recruits nnd respectful
nnd helpful to his seniors.
Tho sergeant instructor, too, nftcr n
time took n fancy to his timid recruit,
and took extra trouble to teach him
how to keep his heels out, his handa
down nnd his head up.
"I'vo mndo smart cavalrymen out o'
bigger duffers than you," ho used to
remark encouragingly ns ho flicked
Whlto Feather's horso Into a ennter,
"and I'll mako n rldor o' you, or I'll
break your neck!" Whlto Feather's
neck remained unbroken, so It Is to bo
presumed that tho sergeant Instructor
fulfilled his word.
Presently ho began to loso tho hang
dog look of suppressed terror with
which ho had been accustomed to enter
tho riding school and to ncqulro the
easy swagger of a cavalryman. His
chest, contracted by long hours nt the
counter, developed under healthy
training. Fresh air and much oxor
else helped Whlto Feather's develop
ment, which had beon sadly rotarted
by tho heavy, gas-laden ntmosphero In
which ho hnd lived. His nerves ac
quired tone, and ho learned to tako a
tumble now and then as a matter of
courso nnd to flro his enrbine without
shutting his eyes nnd blanching nt tho
explosion of the cnrtrldgo.
"Blow mo, If ho Isn't going to shnpo
into a man nt lost!" quoth tho ser
geant instructor.
Then a great blow fell upon him. Ho
received ono morning n letter from tho
girl to toll him that sho had given htm
up in favor of n shopwalker who had
expectations of being set up In bus!
ncss by his fnthor. Sho admitted that
sho had ndored soldiers nnd thnt sho
had caused him to enter tho army for
her sake. But she had omitted to stnto
thnt tho soldiers she adored wcro sol
dlors who possessed tho queen's com
mission nnd who woro stars Instead of
n worsted stripe.
If poor Whlto Feathor was n physl
cal coward, ho wan n moral hero. Thcro
Is no chauco of a display of feeling In
a barrack room, so, llko tho Spnrtan
boy of old, ho hugged his trouble to
him, slipping tho chonp little eugnge
mont ring with which ho had sealed
his troth Into his pocket without a sign
beyond tho twitching of his whlto Hps.
Then ho lit his plpn with tho letter, not
out of contempt, but becauso there Is
Uttlo privacy accorded In tho corre
spondence that comes to the barrack
room, and n prlvato soldier Ih not pro
vided with a desk wherein to keep his
fadod flowers and other sentimental
tokens of tho past.
Tho blow was a very heavy one, for
Whlto Feather was without the world
ly knowlcdgo that should have told
him long slnco that ho had fixed his
affections upon n vulgar, solflsh and
brainless flirt, nnd ho still believed In
her.
For hor sal;o ho had learned to ovor
como his physical cowardice. Ho had
dreamed of a posslblo commission In
tho dim futuro nnd had rejoiced In tho
recently acquired promotion ns a step
toward hor.
For her snko, too, ho received tho
nows cheerfully when the word passed
through tho barracks that the regl
mont was ordered to Souvh Africa to
meet tho Doors. He know thnt ho was
by nature a coward, fcut for tho mem
ory of her ho Bworo an oath to himself
to do his duty without sparing hlmsolf
in tho coming fight.
"Look 'tro, old chap, wo ain't going
to call you Whllo Feather no moro!"
said Trumpeter Pipes ns thoy lay to
gether behind tho shelter of a largo
bowlder, against tho faco of which tho
Boer bullets woro pattering llko a
heavy rain.
In full Bight of tho wholo nrmy their
squadron hnd crossed tho Boer front
amid a hnll of bullets which had
brought twenty mon to enrth.
Whlto Feather's horso had been shot
undor him, and, nt tho risk of his life,
ho had carried tho wounded trumpeter
into tho shelter of tho bowlders. He
wns unhurt, but trembled in every
limb from fear nntl grcnt exertion.
From between two 'bowlders ha
peeped out nnd saw, nmtd tho bodies
of men nnd horses thnt llttorcd tho
plain, n wounded man crawling ,on hl9
hands nnd knees amid a spatter of bul
lets that woro kicking puffs of dust
from tho dry earth nil around him.
It was his captain.
Whlto Feather watched him for a
moment; then ho saw him otoop and
Ho down on his sldo despairingly. Ho
could crawl no moro.
I will, for her sake!" ho mcrmured
between his clonchod teeth, nnd, rising
from tho shelter of tho rock, ho faced
tho hall of death that pattered to the
earth around him.
As ho walked into tho open a faint
cheer reached his cars from tho British
troops half n mllo behind him. Tho
Royal nrtlllory backed him with n
shrieking flight of Bhrnpnol, which
whistled for a moment overhead, thon
burst over tho Boor lines a quarter of
a mllo awny In a shower of bullots that
for a moment quelled tho storm nroun-i
him.
Ho reached the wounded man, llftcl
him on his back and rotumcd step by
step to whoro Trumpeter Pipes lay hid
den. The trumpeter gnvo him a fatnt
"Bravo!" ns ho staggered and foil with
his burden Into tho kindly shelter of
tho rock.
That was Whlto Feather's reward.
On a distant hill tho British com
mander shut his field glnsscs with a
snap.
'Tell tho gonoral to keep down the
flro on tho right thcro nnd got thoc-o
men In from behind thoso bowlders,"
ho said to his nld, "nnd bring mo that
man's nnmo. If ho Is alive, toll him
that I saw It all, and that I'm going
to recommend him for tho cross. Never
saw a flnor show of finer discipline in
my llfcl" nddod the commander to
himself ns his aid galloped off.
Whlto Feather's oyes gllstoned no ho
received tho messages nnd heard tho
cheer that swept along tho lines as ho
wns enrried In.
'Porhnps I shall got that commission
after all," ho said to hlmsolf; "then
sho will think moro of mo."
Perhnps It was Just as well that ho
dlod flvo minutes Intorthls faithful
worshiper of a goddess of clay.
8TOFIMS ON BAIKAL.
Tcmpeituoua Times on One of Siberia'
Great Inlmijl Hon.
Tho part of tho Siberian railroad
that will skirt tho southorn shoros of
Lnko Baikal has not yet been built. It
Involves dlffloult onglnoorlng, and tho
railroad authorities decided, for a few
years, to uso Ico-broaklng stonraoro, tie
barges to them, load them with pas
sengers and freight cars and thus forrj,
trains across tho lako. But now tney
havo como to tho conclusion to build
tho line around tho foot of tho lnko
as soon as they can, for they aro hav
ing no end of troublo with stormy ano
foggy Baikal. Tho lako is slxty-flva
miles wldo and It Ib no Joko for the
passengers to bo penned In tholr car
on tho barges for twonty to forty houra
nt a time, as has happened now and
thon within the last year, On these oc
casions a storm on tho lako or a noavy
fog has mado it ImpoBslblo to roach
port on tho farther sldo. Anyone
knowing tho conditions of travel on
this lako might expect such accidents.
Thcro Is no good port and ono cannot
bo mado without spondlng a fortune
A whllo ago sailing vessels woro tho
only means of transport, and they
sometimes took over a fortnight In
crossing tho lnko, boating up and down
and waiting for a chance to got to the
landing whllo storms woro raging for
days and days. MUlIona of Russians
seem to havo an erroneous Idea of Bal-
kal. It Ib tho largest fresh water lako
In Asia, but tho Russians do not hcsl-
tato to call it tho largest In tho world.
In fact, tho lako Is thus ranked in
somo of tho geographies used in Rus
sian schools. Tho compilers of theso
text booku would seem novor to havo
heard of our great lakes and thoso of
central Africa. New York Sun.
Cllnslnir to I'nlUli Language.
Tho Poles who Inhabit tho province
of Poscn, a pnrt of tho former king
dom of Poland, wish to maintain tho
public uso of tholr laugungo, but tho
authorities do not npprovo of their de
sire. Hitherto thoso Poles Ignorant of
the German tongue addressed lettors
nnd parcels to their frlonds In tholr
own languago. This has now boon
strictly forbidden. Tho chief postmas
ter for tho district of Posou has given
orders to all postofllces and postal
agencies In his district that no mnll
shall In futuro bo nccoptod, forwardod
or delivered which boars ns Its ad
dress nn Inscription In tho Polish lan
guage. By way of explanation ho adds
thnt tho postal service Is not merely a
public sorvnnt, but hns also national
and educational functions to porform.
Wolfgang Voltz, In Chicago Record.
Tho Interest bill of tho city of New
York amounts to raone than $13,000,000;