THE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE IRA L. DARE, Publisher TERMS; $1.25 IN ADVANCE NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA Our Deceiving Senses. Mnnj renders no doubt aro familiar with Siiko'h- version of tho Hindoo legend relating the ImprosslonB of tho six blind men -who went (o bco tho elephant; but fow" probably road It with bo mrrch an a passing thought tc tho great ronbn of mental phonomenc at which It hliitB. The flrHl, It will be remembered, happening to fall against, tho clopliiint's Hide, pronounced him llko n wall; tho second, fooling of his tuHk, thonght him llko a spear; tho third, taking his squirming trunk In his handii, found him to bo very llko a nako; m4 bo tho fourth, fifth and hIxUi, judging from hlu log, car and tall, each In tnrn Inslated that ho wns llko a tree, a fan and u rope. A little reflection win bIiow, of courao, that the difficulty with tho alx blind men waa not Inneetirato perception, If there really ho Huch a thing; but InHiitriclent observation for a correct generaliza tion, aay Technical World Magazine. Moat, If not all of our knowledge trf tho external world la gained tlirougi tho sonso organa; and alnco fow nub Jects In that external world nro of ele mentary iihnpllclty, It followa that the Ideaa of most thing!) aro mom or less logical aggrogatlona of all tho percep tions to which It bait given rlao. Thus tho pencil I hold In my hand manifests Itaolf to mo In manifold waya. I bco Its form, ltn iilzo, Ita colors, Its Individ ual peculiarities of surface. I feel Kb Bmoothucas in plncea, its roiiglincsB In others, lis form also, and oven distin guish between tho wood and tho graph' Ho; I heft it in my hnnd or on my finger; I smell tho odor of tho cedar, and (do I?) tasto It alao, In tho snnio way perhaps getting alao a Bcnsation differing from tho othora, from tho graphite; and then I tap it with an other pencil nnd hoar tho sound pro duced. Now ail those, nnd many more, percepts, each mora or lens distinct from tho others, go tomnko up tho Idea of poncM. Thcro aro nomo grounds for gratifi cation In tho report mado by tho Inter stato commorco commission as to tho number of railroad casualties during tho flscnl year ended with Juno last. It appears that within tho porlod mon tionod 3,7(51 porBons wero ktllod and 08,989 Injured, which In a decreaso of 1.23G killed and 3,297 Injured as com pared with tho preceding year. Tho showing lu bad enough, hut tho returns suggest bettor conditions. It Is also noted thai dwring tho last quartor of tho lato fiscal year 13 pasBongors woro killed In train accidents, tho smallest number en rceord for that IqiirIi of tlmo. May tho improvement con tinue. It Bconin Hint tho now poatago stamps which Postmaster General Moyor lu abont to issue will bo some thing In tho nature of a restoration of an old design, rather than an entirely now ono. Thoro is occasion for popu lar congratulation that tho lino old Houdon profllo of Washington, which Is tho host nnd most distinguished over produced, Is, to como buck after ilvo yoara of rctlromont to reoccupy tho position It hold for hulf a century. It Koes back nt only to tho two-cent Btamp, but on tho nlno othor hlghor denominations, leaving tho prolllo of Franklin on tho one-cent stamp, wlioro It lms remained from the llrst. Tho old-fashioned covorod woodon iirldgo across tho Connecticut river nt Hartford bun boon replaced by a beautiful grnnlto structure described as tho largest stone bridge In tho world. Both tho Carlshurcko ncross tho Moldau nt Prague and tho Water loo bridge over tho Thames at London aro longer, but thoy do not approach tho 82-fcot width of tho Hartford structure Whatever may bo said of tho advantages of iron or steel bridges thoy do not produce tho restful I in prcaslon of Btrongth and pormanonco which is ono of tho groat attractions of a ulano bridge. Emperor William has rnlsod his daughter-in-law, tho crown princess, to tho rank of colonel of tho roglmont of which her husband In only tho major. Many a huBband roadlly ad inlts that nt hoino ho is tho second In command, but what did tho kaiser moan when ho gave tho princess high er mUHnry rank than that of his son? Tho ninth, having tired of oxporl tnentlng with constitutions, may as woll bo proparcd for toalo of bombs daggorH nnd llko dovicoa for bringing homo to n monarch his own unpopu Jarlty. The uecond of tho now Whlto Star lino C0,000-tor stonmshlps haB been appropriately named tho Titanic, Some Idea of tho slzo of modern ships may bo formed U ouo recalls that tho tonnage of tljo whole Spanish Armada, which wau wrecked off tho coast of Ireland, was less than that of tho now ship. noro'fl n good Idea. Hank tollors aro to stamp "countorfolt" on nil bad bills presented to thorn. That will mHL. ROY NORTON SYNOP3I8. " Vanishing l-'IfrK" a wtory of "what might have niippi-ni'd." ojiciiM In Wash ington with tin- ITiilturi HtHti'H nnd Japan on tho vcrs of war. (luy llllllur, si-o-rotnry of tho liritlHh nnlmmiy. and SIIhh Norma HoliurtH, f.lilcf nldo of Inventor ItohortH, aro Introduced mh lovurs. Tho Roveriiinetit Is much criticised Im-miuho of I(h luck of propunitlon for strife. At tho tnoHt Inopportune moment Japan eeiiirro war. japan iukom iiio rump ItieM without loss of it man. Tho on Iro country Is In u state of turmoil bo nuflc of thn Kovcrnmenl'H Indlfforenee. (luy Ililllcr Htitrts for KiiKland with sourot meHHiiRe nnd Is compelled to leuvo Norma Hobt-rlit, who with mili tary officers nlno leaven Washington on inyntorloim expedition for an Isolated point on tho Florida coast. Hawaii Ih captured uy ino juph. country, in lur moll, domainls explanation of policy from government. CHAPTER III. Continued. '"Am I right, sir,' ho said, 'In con struing that whlto Hag you raised as a sign of truce? And if that Is so, I should llko to bo Informed as to why at tho name tlmo you lowered the United States Hag from tho peak?' "Tho general, choked with mortifica tion, hesitated for a moment, nnd then found himself unable to express his relinquishment lu words. Ho slowly wlthdtow his sword from Its belt hooka, and held it, hilt formost, to ward tho admiral, who seemed unable to realize that It was tendored lu sur render. Thoro was a moment's si lence, In which ho looked down at that trusty old blado of stool, never before dishonored by a conqueror's hand. Ho glanced Inquiringly nt his fellow coun trymen, and then at tho others, ns If questioning tholr sanity. 1 'I regret to Bay, sir,' tho general ntiBwcrod, 'that tho Hag was raised In surrender not only of this fortlllcatlon, but of all military forces on the Is lands.' "Tho ndmlrnl gave a quick start of surprlso and Jubilation as tho signifi cance of this unexpected action dawned upon him. "Tho total surrender of tho Phil Ipplncs?' bo questioned, as If It wnt beyond comprehension that without furthor effort this island kingdom o tho sea was tranquilly to .bo turned ovor to tho first enemy who battorcd a challongo on Its gates. 'Tho general, beyond words, nodded In confirmation. In n fow quick! spoken Bentoncos tho admiral trans Intcd tho details of tho conversation to his compatriots. "Goaded by tho sneers and satirical oxclnmntloiis with which this wab ;rooted, tho general broke Into u sud don blazo of wrath, shook a clonched list under tho admiral's very noso, and in whlto heat oxclalmed: 'Yes, It comos easy; but it's no fault of mine! I'm oboylng orders. If I hud my way I'd have seen you in hell before this happened. I would, bo help mo God! "As n signal to tho waiting Hoot, thoy ran aloft tho rising mm emblem of Japan, while tho discomfited of llcors of tho United States retired to tho barracks for tho almost hopeless attempt of explaining tho situation to tho puzzled garrison. Thcso wero sol dler like, quick moving, wiry mon from tho wost,, proud of tholr country and their crops, nnd woro of tho kind that could not understand dishonor through tnero obedience to hlghor or ders. Thoy stormed and swore, and for a tlmo It seemed that mutiny would spread throughout tho fortress, man tho great guns, tear down tho Hag of Japan nnd send hurtling manses of delimit steel out Into tho ranks of that forco which had como upon thorn In a night nnd won nn linear nod vic tory. Hut thoy, too, woro creatures of discipline, and lu tho end roluctnutly accepted fato. "Tho great. armada slowly gathered way and crept forward almost be neath tho towering walls of the silent forts. Boat after boat brought Its load of marines ashore and discharged them on ground which In othor wars had been stained with the blood of valorous men. Huro on these beaches had stopped tho urmlos of old Spain, coming as pioneers to battlo with auv ago foomon. In formor yours tho wa tors of this bay on another day lu May had lloatcd tho vosboIb of bravo Dowoy'B Hoot, had rocked ami quivered benonth tho Impact of his guns, mid witnessed the raising of his victorious flag ovor tho smoldering ramparts, And with Biich a history of glory bo hind It, tho moon on this night roau over a land ellont, conquered, and abandoned, as if It was of no more value than a tiny pebblo cast Into a tropical Boa." CHAPTER IV. Tho Harness of War. a ureain oi summor swept over tho land, giving promise of wealth of bloom and prodigality of harvest; but tho plow stood Idle and rusted In tho watting Adds, tho mendowB went un shorn, and tho crops, In which lay tho rlchos of poaco, implanted. Every where was tho growing din of nn urchy and tho Btern clangor of war. A pooplo who had nover tamely bowed a bead beneath a yoke, nor rebelled at Just rilling, round thomsolvos dls traught In tho whirling current or un reasonable tides which carried them out to thoy knew not what. A tnmo yielding of territory ovor which tholr Hag had onco Hown, an equally passive Burrondor of Islands which had come to them of their owu volition, seeking In tho spread of tho eagle's wings tho shadows of security, and, last of all, as a crowning climax of folly, the sending of wnrshlps to neutral ports! Prom east to weBt, ns tho oceans run, from tho border lino of the north to that of tho south, thoro Bwcpt over the great waiting nation a call to nrnls. No dnm built by mortal man could have stemmed that rising tldn of 'Indignation save tho ono that was erected by tho administration In tho hourB of Its stress. Nowh of It camo unheralded as had all the ominous stories preceding It. Even nt tho moment whon nn over throw of the governing power at Washington seemed Imminent, there Hashed ncross tho wires from gov ernor to governor tho quick nnd in sistent demand for fighting mon. In every armory wns heard tho resound ing clash of rlllcs. A hundred thou sand men, drilled for tho emergencies of :i country's need, Bprang to their weapons like tensely strung wnrnors of old awaiting the protor'B command to charge. A country, which through duys or defeat had seemingly Blept, sprang Into tho harness of strife, ns If electrified by tho God of Rattles. Sim- They Ran Aloft the Rising Sun Emblem of Japan. ultnnoouBly with tho ordering out or all National Guardsmen and a further call for volunteers, which re ceived Instunt response, every railway traversing tho country was requisi tioned by tho war department. Yet, In nil this turmoil tho destina tion of this suddenly mobilized and splendidly poworful army remained n secret. In vain tho pross of tho coun try and Its most lulluontial eltlzons do niandod knowledgo; but not till tho day whon from nil directions uwarnis of armed, men salllod forth, was this Information given. And as ir black ened by a scourgo or locusts, the Canadas awakened one morning to find that along 3,000 miles or bordor land woro spread n lino or soldiers, the most singular line or ropulso ovor i trotebod botweon nations. It wns ono cr excommunication. Not ovon tho commanding oHlcors as thoy took tholr BtntloiiB know th whys or whoroforos of this most ro mnrknblu move, nltbough tholr In structions wero or tho simplest, and woro that under no circumstances wero thrro to bo nets or uutrlondllnoss nor, ovon undor provocation, move ments or aggrosslon. Thoy woro to stand us an Insurmountable barrier between tho United States and tho dominion, prohibiting tratllc, passage, and communication, and nothing more. No umn might cross tho border, and wires, which In days or peace carried from one country to uuothur tho nowa ot tho day, wero cut and torn from tholr polos as If no rurther word might ovor bo transmitted through them. Nor was this all. Wherever a cablo touched on all tho outer edges of this great land might bo found soldiers In rliarge. Wireless telegraph stations woro abruptly closed, prohibiting the use even of tho air Itself. Proclu matlons woro Issued that Instructions bad been given for the perforation or any airships attempting outside com munlcfttlon, and the penalty of Instant death was threatened any aeronaut who disobeyed this command. From every seaport vessels of all nations, friendly or unfriendly, woro summarily excluded. Protests from captains and from companies woro ignored. The United Stntos was sud denly blockading not only Its own means of communication, but scaling its ports ns well, No message might be curried In or out, and, as it fearing also for Its southern border-line, the soldiers of tho regular army were placed there. Tho vessels of tho navy which wero In tho homo wntcrs of the Atlantic were put on pntrol duty, steaming up nnd down tho eastern coast with tho regularity of police men on tholr bentB. To tho world nt largo tho United States of America might nover have been. Tho fabled Atlantis of old could have disappeared no more completely nor been cut off more effectually from intercourse with outside mankind than was tho great American nation. Whatever criticism and surprise had been caused among other powers by tho abandonment of tho Philippines nnd the Hawaiian Islands was out done by this latest move. Nover bo foro in tho world's history had a na tion enforced complete Isolation upon Itself, withdrawing within Its shell ns docs tt turtlo when nssnlled. Hith erto. It had .been tho custom of a poo plo nttacked to maintain an outward Beemlng of uninterrupted commerce and unimpeded communication. No modem government had yet had tho temerity to shut its ports to friendly nations, scorn Intercourse with them, nnd trust to its own resources for support nnd maintenance. Protests from friendly powers wero unheeded or unavailing, because after a few days thoro was no possibility or con voylng such remonstrance to tho or flclals at Washington. In tho capital Itseir roprosontntlvos or foreign nations, hearing or this cm bargo on tho ports, stood upon their rights nnd domunded either their dls missal or tho rreo and uninterrupted pnssago or their communications Somo or tho moro importunnto ones woro politely told that they might take tholr departuro nt any tlmo thoy dooniod fit; but woro given wnrnlng that It must bo within 18 hours or thoy would not bo permitted to pass tho border lino. These discomfited diplomats clthor hastened to the near est harbor, embarking upon tho last steamer leaving, or choso to remain within tho country. Tho mnrltlmo nations or Europe nghust at what they termed tho Inso lenco or the United Stntcs, discussed means or bringing her to book nnd compelling her to open hor road steads; but round a lack or unnnlmlty as to method. Great Britain, Jealous or Gormany, but rearing a swirt on Blnught from tho kaiser's realm, heal tated to take tho Initiative nnd thus leave hor own coasts exposed to at tack. Franco, with tho moniory or an earlier wnr, remained passive Russia smarting undor tho recollection or hor own defeat, refused to tnko any steps which directly or Indirectly might nld Japan. And tho smaller nations awaited a leader. England was placed In tho most po otillar and trying position of all. Tho last afllclal uttcranco of tho United States to n foreign power had been to her, In tho positive nBsortlon that come what might, she ot all nntlons need bavo no fear of being cmbrollod and that under no circumstances need Bho apprehend war with America. The English ambassador, who was ouo of tho last to take timely ad vantage of his opportunity and seek a temporary residence lu Montreal, cabled his country a frnnk admission that tho volley of tho United States was completely beyond his compre hension, nnd that whatever of tho situ ation might bo known from personal observation would be explained by his secretary, uuy minor, uuo at nny mo ment In London. Tho cars or Europe wero theroforo open for Biichtcommii- lilcutlonB as might bo Imparted by this young man, who for the moment be come of paramount Importance. Thus It was that Hllller, arriving at Mio Liverpool docka, found himself the center of all interest, A swarm of newspaper correspondents, moro or less distinguished in their profession, sought interviews; but, warned In nd vanco by wlrelesB telegraph, ho de cllncd nil conversation. Tho wharf was black with people, who anxiously craned their necks to catch sight ot tho man who was expected to eluci date tho greatest mystery of tho age. A guard of constables formed a hollow squaro round him and forced their way up tho long, tunnol-llke Bhed lead ing to tho train which was to convoy htm to London. When ho had gained his scat in i. compartment reserved for his use, and tho train whirled nwny past neatly- walled farms, prosperous villages and great cities, ho wondered nt tho strange trend of events which had thrown him bo prominently Into the foreground. Ho smiled In Irony ns he reviewed his own actual knowledge of tho situation, and realized how llttlo ho had In the way or Information In comparison with what ho was ex pected to divulge. At Euston station he was escorted to a carriage, nnd wfilstlcd n soft note of surprise as he recognized on tho panels the prime minister's cout of arms. Plainly ho was to be subjected to what In America he had heard called tho "Third Degree." Surrepti tious nods wero interchanged by a crowd or loungers, and such comments us "That's him!" and "'E's tho bloke w'ats goln' to toll us sibaout It!" lloatcd to him as the footman slammed the door behind, mounted tho box nnd whipped the team into a gallop. He was ushered Into tho sacred pre cincts of the prime minister's privnto chamber, and found awaiting not only that important person but the foreign secretary, nnd a lord of tho admiralty as well. Tho pondorously scaled. packet from his ambassador was torn open and read aloud. It contained ths following ntnrtllng Btntomcnt from his perturbed and Irato superior: I bavo the honor to Inform your lordship that I am in a country evi dently inhabited by maniacs. I havo painstakingly sought a logical expla nation for tho acts of this government, and frankly admit that I am unnblo to understand either Its attitude toward his majesty's government, Its proposed plan of campaign, or what tho effect of this wur will bo upon other nations I havo been persistently refused any Intimation as to what has taken placo or is intended. In a personal inter view with his cxcolloncy, the presi dent of tho United States, I havo been positively informed that his country will under no circumstances permit any demonstration against Great Brit ain, but that It may become necessary to suspend intercourse tor, a time. I cannot tell what Is meant by thls.jior would ho give me further Information. Tho attitude of tho administration, backed up by 'congress, Is thnt of su premo egotism and soir-sufilclency, dosplto tho position taken by the poo plo and tho press, ns shown In news papers which nro sent herewith. In vlow ot tho uncertainty or tho stiua tlon, tho oulgmu presented by the United States government's attitude, and tho threat that within 48 hours nil exchange ot communication will bo suspendod, I deem It wlso to suggest that his majesty hold himself In readi ness to mako an overpowering navnl demonstration In thcso or Canadian waters, It need should arise. I nm sending this by my secretary, who can unswor nny questions ot n moro perti nent naturo as woll ns I could." Tho letter, written In tho crabbed hand ot the ambassador, wns slowly read aloud, those present straining their hearing that no word might bo lost, mid at Its conclusion they sat dumbfounded. "You wero there, I believe," Bald tho prime mini-tor, Blowly swlnglns back nud forth In his swivel chair, and ad dressing tho socretary, "when tho news ot tho surrender of tho Philip pines was received?" "Yes, your lordship." "What excuse had tho government to mako tor bucIi unwarranted ac tion?" "Nono whatever." "Do you moan to say that they suf fered without protest or defonso tho surrender ot a fortification which co3t millions ot pounds, was adequately equipped and ablo to repel successfully tho uttack of such a fleet as Japan sent against It?" "Yes, thoy even accepted It com placently." From round tho room came mur murs of amazemont, while the rustlo of newspapers showed tho anxiety of thoso prosont to glean what Informa tion thoy could be porusal. Losing tholr phlegmatic air of self possession and casting official dignity to tho winds they bombardod Hllller with questions, which In tho main ho was unable to answer. Tho voice ot tho stately lord ot tho admiralty rose above tho others In a sudden, Insistent petulant ques tion. "Do you know anything oIbo wrth whllo?" ho asked. "No," answered Hllller, "I hove bo knowledgo othor than that which I havo given to you, which in itself was gathered elsewhere than from an absolutely sllout and secretive gov ernment." (.TO BE CONTINUED.) WHAT THE DOLLIES HAD. Gmall Wonder That the Little Mother Was Really Alarmed. Little Mnry was really very 111. Mother said she was sure It was nn nttack of appendicitis, but Grandma was equully mire tho Htllo one waa threatened with convulsions. The argument waxod warm In Mary's presence, nnd npprupialo reme dies woro used, and tho next day sho was hotter. Coming into her mother's room dur ing her play she said: "Mamma, two of my dolllos are very sick this morning" "Indeed, dear, 1 am very sorry. What Is tho matter with them?" "Well I don't really know, mamma, but I think Gwendolyn lias 'a pint o'splders' and Marguerite- is going to have 'envulslons.' " ' INTOLERABLE ITCHING. Fearful Eczema All Over Gaby's Fac Professional Treatment Failed. A Perfect Cure by Cutlcura. "When my little girl was alx months old I noticed small red spots on her right cheek. They grow bo largo that 1 sent for tho doctor but, instead of helping tho eruption, his ointment seemed to mako It worso. Theii I went to a second doctor who said It was eczema. Ho also gave mo nn oint ment which did not holp either. Tho disease spread all ovor tho face and the eyes began to swell. The Itching grew Intolerable and It was a terrlblo sight to see. 1 consulted doctors for months, but thoy woro unable to euro tho baby. I paid out from $20 to $30 without relief. Ono evening I began to use tho Cutlcura Remedies. Tho next morning tho baby's fnco was all whlto instead ot red. I continued until the eczema entirely disappeared. Mrs. P. E. Gumbln, Sheldon, la., July 13,'OS." Potter Drue & Chcm. Corp., fiolo Prop, lloston. HORRORS! "What's the trouble. Zumbo?" "I thought It was missionaries, but it's n load o Altruists." WIec Kid. My seven-year-old nlcoo writes a correspondent la au up to-dato young woman. Sho has a pasaloa Tor study, and thinks ot llttlo but her lessons. Tho othor day I remonstrated with her. "Llla," I said, "you aro working too bard. Why do you do ltf" "Well, auntie," sho answered, gravely, "I heard somebody say that tho education ot a child should begin with its grandmother. And I expect to be a grandmother, some day." Important to Td o thoro. Examlno carefully every bottlo of CASTORI A a cafo and suro remedy for infanta and children, and sco that ic Bears tho yC Signature QifM& lu Uao For Over 110 Yearn. Tho Kind You Have Always Bought Opinion of an Expert "I hear you aro gulng to marry Charley?" "Yos; he asked me last evening." "Let mo congratulate you. Charley is all right. Ho is ono of the nicest fellows I was ever engaged to." Stray Stories. That nn article may bo goad as well as cheap, und give entire BatiBfnctlon, Is proven by tho extraordinary sale ot Defiance Starch, each packaso con taining one-third moro Starch than can be had of any other brand for the same money. A Perfect Gentleman. Codling Why did you speak to that howwld tramp, dear boy? Softy Why shouldn't I, old chap pie? Ho Isn't in twnde, and ho doesn't work faw a living. Penny Pictorial. l-ii.HH ci:iu:i in o to it javs. l'?..yIN'J!?.,.'i?'r..,.s Kmiraiileed to en nnv cav of llrlilni:. Wind, lllmllnir r l'rntru(Uii I'lWx lit l) tu 11 duB or luouuy rcrunilcil. COc. And It somotIme3 happens that a man is married to hln boss. Lewis' Smplc Binder straight Cc You p,iy 10c for cigars not so Rood, "itour deal er or Lewis' Factory, Peoria, 111. For what tho mind wl6hqq, that it also believes. Heliodorus. imsi lxmicii syrup. Jutes OW. Uie In time. Sold by dmgr-.it. Mtop one hind pf endless chain