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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (May 27, 1898)
1 w THE NEBRASKA ADVERTISER W. W. 8ANDKHS, I'ublliber. NEMAHA, NEBRASKA. GOING ALONE. With turls In the sunny nlr tossing, With HrIU In the merry bright eyes, With laughter so clearly out ringing A laugh of delight anil surprise; All friendly assistance disdaining, And trusting no strength hut Its own, The past fears and trials forgotten, The baby Is "going olone." How often the help he has needed lias carelessly tit rayed from his side: The hand of the lo.'ed one to sustain him, Ills tottering footsteps to guide. See, he has fallen whllo reaching for sun hpams Which Just as ho grasped them have Jlown: .And tears of vexation have followed Uut now ho Is "going alone." All through life he will learn Th's lesson again nnd again. 'He will carelessly lenn upon shadows, He will fall and weep over tho pain, He will learn what a stern world we live In, And ho may grow cold like tho rest; "Rut ltoop a warm sunny welcome For those who are truest and best; Yet not trusting his all In their keeping, Uut stronger and manlier grown, 'Chastened and taught by past sorrow. Ho learned to walk bravely "alone." And yet not alone, for our Father The wandering fooutops will guide Through all tho dark waves of earth life, And over tho river's deep tide. Ah! here Is a strength unfailing, A strength we can perfectly trust, "When all human aid unavailing Tho "dust shall return unto dust." Katherlno C. Ackerman, In Banner of Gold. I A CLEW BY WIRE I S Or, An Interrupted Current. : : BY HOWARD M. YOST. : ;5 CopyrlRlit, 1896, by J. B. Llpplncott Co. ; CHAPTER IX. Continued. Surah greeted me effusively. The .good soul seemed to huve a constant fear tliut each time she suw me would .be the lust. "Can you let me have n saw, a chisel nnd u hammer?" I asked. "Ach, yes. Bud vlmt for, Nel?" "I am going to find out what is in that cellar," I answered. "How you ged in?" "By cutting through the iloor." "Dat will be hard work, Ncl. De tim ber under de iloor is awful thick." "1 know that. But I have plenty of time, nnd so will be nblc eventunlly to get through." The tools were produced, and I start ed homeward, Sarah sending after me an curnest appeal for carefulness and the avoidance of danger. I intended to commence the task of getting into the sealed apartment im mediately upon my arrival home. The thought that danger of some kind might lurk in the cellar would not deter me. And the pistol-shot I hud heard the last night seemed to indicate that there might be a degree of peril in the work. I did not like the idea of the dank, musty odors ascending into my sleep ing apartment, but I could easily re move to one of the spacious chambers upstairs, and thus escape them. On arriving at the house, 1 took the "tools into my room. I looked over the floor, and, after quite a time debating where the hole should be made, deter mined to begin over in one corner. Be fore I had time to commence opera tions, a loud knock sounded on the front door. Hastily shoving the tools under the bed, I went out through the hall and opened the door. My visitor was Mr. Sonntag. CHAPTER X. I ushered the old lawyer into the room. After a few commonplace re marks he said: "That walling-up of those cellnr doorways has made quite an impression on me. Suppose we have a look at them." I was very willing. Together we de scended the stairs to the storeroom. Mr, Sonntag examined the place where the door had been, minutely, as though he expected to find in the stones of the wall some intimation of what was on the inside. He even went so far as to scratch off patches oi the whitewash. "It is rather dark here," he finally said, glancing around. "Perhaps the door can be opened," I suggested. "1 have the key with me, but maybe it would be best not to use it. Ghe mo a few matches." I handed him all I had with me, nnd he, by the light afforded, examined closely the places where he had scratched off the whitewash. While watching him, the thought again occurred to me that I had seen or met him previous to my arrival at Ncl sonville. "Do you know it seems ns though I had seen you before?" I said. Yes, so you remarked during your iuit to my office yestcrdny," Sonntag replied, as he stepped back to where I was standing. "There is no doubt of that being n solid wall," he went on; "so if the room behind it is being used for some purpose, entrance is not gained from here. See what pains have been taken to hide tho work. The whole wall lias been newly whitewashed. 1 that had not been done, the new mason-work would be glnrlngly perceptible. Let us go into the house cellar and have 11 look at the dividing wall there." It needed but a glance to sue that this wall had not been tampered with. The whitewash was old, and there was no spot where it had been renewed. "I have already examined the out side place," the old lawyer remarked, as we ascended the stairway, "That was not whitewashed, and, if I remember rightly, the stones used looked old and worn like the rest of the foundation," 1 said. "Yes; the stones used in both the doorways were old ones". But they are of a different kind of stone," he re marked, witli a shrewd smile. "Different kind? What significance would that have?" "All the stone quarried about here is limestone. You will find the founda tions and walls under your house are built with this kind. If any other kind wns used it would have to be brought from a distance. Sandstone was used for the two doorways." "And was therefore brought from a distance?" I asked. "Perhaps not in this case." "But you said there is nothing but limestone quarried, about here," 1 sug gested. "And that is true. The r.tones used in the doorwnys had been used before, for they are old and weatherbeaten. Do you remember a small stone build ing up at tho mountain, which years ago was used as a schoolhouse?" my lawyer asked. "Oh, yes! It was known as the Mountain school," I replied. "Well, it is fast going to ruin," Sonn tag continued; "has not been used for years, I am told. The point is here: That old schoolhouse was built of sandstone. Where the builders got the stone I, of course, cannot say, but evi dently not around here. It is my be lief the stones in the two doorwnys were taken from the old tumble-down schoolhouse." "And supposing your surmise is u correct one, does it furnish you with a clew to the person or persons who did the job?" I asked. "Perhaps," he replied, shortly. As he raised his head to answer, rec ollection Hashed upon me. "Ah!" I exclaimed. "I have been cudgeling my brain in the endeavor to remember where I had seen you before." Ho quickly turned toward me with n half-smile on his face, but offered no reply. "1 have seen you in Philadelphia," I continued. "Possibly. I used to live there before coming to Twineburgh," he remarked, indifferently. "You have been in Twineburgh but six months," I went on. "Yes." "And I saw you for the first time about a year ago. I almost knocked you over as I was coming out of tho president's office in the Safety security bank. You were just going in, and 1 ran into you." "Ah, possibly. I have had business dealings with that concern," the old lawyer replied. "And you knew Mr. Perry, the presi dent?" "Yes, slightly." "Then why did you ask me at the time if I was the president?" I asked. Sonntag gave a twitch of the shoul- I $MfSm I Mr. BonntutJ examined tho lilnco minutely. tier, and his shrewd sharp eyes twinkled. "Did I ask you that?" he queried. "Do you not remember?" "Can't say that I do," he replied. "It seems strange you should leave the city to engage in the practice of law m a small town like Twineburgh," 1 said, musingly. "Why strange?" was his curt ques tion. "Oh, well, you are quite advanced in yenrs, and, with your long experience, ought to have commanded a larger and more lucrative practice in a large place like Philadelphia than in a small coun try town." He did not reply for a few moments, but stood with a whimsical look on his face with his eyes turned toward the floor. "I became tired of city life," he finally said. "I hnve no family depending upon me, nnd so nm at liberty to follow out any whim which happens to take pos session of me. There is enough business here to enable a single man to live well, besides allowing him more leisure. 1 was looking for such n business, and nnd found it in Twineburgh." "Well, you certainly are an odd fel low, if you will excuse me for saying so," I remarked, with 0 laugh. "Yes, I am rather odd." When we reentered my bedroom, Sonntng's quick eye caught sight of the tools under my bed. "Going to cut through the floor?" he asked. "That is what I intended to do. I'm going to know what is down there," 1 replied, decidedly. Then I told him about the noises I had heard which had seemed to come from bencnth, the skimming of the door, and the pistol shot. I also told of the voices I hud heard both in the attic and in my room, and all I had ob served regarding them. The old lawyer listened intently, utid when I had finished walked to the win dow. "Do you suppose that the sound of the voices could in some way have come from the telephone wire?" I finally asked. "Not being an electrical expert, lean not say," Sonntag answered, turning from the window. "It seems impossible the voices could be heard without the aid of a receiver," I remarked. "Perhaps there is a receiver both in your room and upstairs not like the ones we are accustomed to, of course, but one formed by nature. Certainly there arc possibilities in electric force which we have not yet discovered. You say the sounds occurred only when a wind was blowing which caused the wire to swing against the lightning rod?" "That was surmise, for I have had no opportunity to watch when the wind blew. But it seemed the most natural explanation of the rappings." "And you had no way of ascertaining whether the sounds in your room here and in the attic were produced by the same voice and at the same time, or whether there were two voioos inde pendent of each other?" "Why, you know it was impossible for me to be in the nttic and in my room too," I answered. "Perhaps we may be given an oppor tunity to find out something about the voices," Somitag said, with a gesture to ward the window. "How do you mean?" I asked. "There is a thunderstorm coming up. It will undoubtedly be preceded by a wind," the old lawyer said. "Yes, yes! How fortunate it is that you are here!" I exclaimed, excitedly, for I comprehended his meaning. "Now you remain here, and I will go up to the attic," I went on. "Each of us must note the exact time the sound is heard. We had better eompnre watches, so that there shall be no difference in each one's cstimnte of the time." I pulled out 111 j-watch and approached Sonntag. His hand went up to his vest pocket and he was about to follow my example, when upon our hearing came that small, soft, high-pitched voice. We stood gazing into each other's eyes for a moment, then I made a rush for the door. The lawyer detained me, and in great impatience I waited. "Take paper and pencil with you," he said. "Jot down the words and indicate the raps in the exact order that they come. I will do tho same with the words and pauses. Now go." I went up the two stairwnys on the jump. The wind was coming up strong, nnd the heavy thunder rolled in the dis tance. Near the small window, where I had heard the voioe, I took my stand. The raps from above were louder now, nnd besides, in the daytime, lost a great deal of the uncanniness which the gloom and solitude of night had given them. The voice was sounding, though not ns distinctly as before, which was prob ably on account of the loud moaning nnd whistling of the high wind. My paper and pencil were ready, and I listened with strained attention to catch tho words. This is what my paper showed: "Never will (rap, rap, nip) consent under existing (rap, rap a grating noise, probably caused by the wire be ing held against the lightning rod by the force of the wind) the property re moved (raps) place to bring you (nips) hid where (raps) never find (raps) talk wisdom I shall (raps) night and take (raps) dollar will you ever" Right here the garret was flooded by a blinding glare, and immediately fol lowed crash on crash close above me. Stunned by the noise and too dazed for the moment to realize that the threatening storm had burst, I feebly tottered toward the stairs and sank down upon the top step. The rain was coming down in tor rents and the roar on the roof seemed but an echo of the thunder. 1 was soon able to arouse myself from my dazed condition, and, remembering the ob ject of my errand, went back to the spot where T had stood to recover the paper and pencil, which had fallen from my hands. There was no desire ta continue investigations while thcBtonn lasted; so, picking up the paper, T hastened downstairs to my room. I noticed n strange odor as I went through the doorway, and saw Ponntng standing in Hie middle of the room in a nt range attitude. The pencil he had used was still in his hand, but the paper had fluttered to the Hour. The old lawyer not seeming to notice my approach, I tapped him 011 the arm. lie gazed around at me with w ide, star ing eyes, then drew a long breath. "What was It that happened?" he finally asked. "Oil, did you catch it, too? Nothing but a little demonstration of electrical force," I replied. "It wan quite close to us. The house must have been st ruck by the bolt; or peuhnpa the lightning rod saved It." v "It was awful!" the old fellow ex claimed. "There was a stream of fire reached half wv across the room. It came from the wall there, right near the chimney. Well, it's over, and neith er of us hurt." The old fellow shook himself together. "After this, no more experimenting in electricity for me. es pecially during; a thunderstorm. I'll ntlck to to the law," he said, with a flash of his bright oj-cs which told me he had recovered from the effects of the shock. "Then you did not take any note of the voice?" I remarked. "Yes, yes. Here It is; and you? ah, that's good. Now let us compare." The two slips of paper were laid on the table. "The first words taken note of r ? Wharo I lnul hoard tho voice I took my ntnnd. on my paper," Sonntag began, "are, you have my then a pause, and yours are: Never will. Ah!" he exclaimed, in deep satisfaction, "they seem to run along well together. Now you begin und.reud, and where the raps arc indicated pause, and 1 will put in my words. Let's-seejf we can get any sense out of It." g This is what we read: "Never will" "you have my " '"consent under existing " "circumstances you have broken faith with me in every " "way why was " "the property removed " "from the original " "place to bring you " "to time what did you do .with it safely " "hid where " "you can " "never find " "it unless you " "talk wisdom I shall" "go for it this very" "night and take " "it away and not one " "dollar will you ever " "Right here is where the shock came," I said, after reading the last phrase. "Of course I took no more notes after that. Have you anymore?" "No. The fiamc came, and I got no further," Sonntag answered. "This certainly is curious. There seems to be a complete circuit formed somehow, or, more properly, two circuits; when one is closed the other is opened by that closing, and vice versa." While making the foregoing remark the oltl fellow was leaning over the table, intently scanning the two papers. "You say a flame shot out into the room?" I asked. "Yes." "Prom where?" "Between the window and chimney, it seemed to be," he replied, without lift ing his head. 1 stepped over to the place indicated. There was a large nail sticking in the jv all, which had been covered with w hitcwash. A fionn 1 coat which I had hung on the nail tho night before was now lying on the floor, a charred ruin. The nail itself was blackened, and was quite hot, as contact with my fingers told me. "Great heavens!" I exclaimed, start Ing back, "tills is the strangest phenoni enon. What a wonder the house is nol nblnze!" TO 111! CONTI.NUKD.l An Old Story. Frank Some genius in Birmingham has invented a buttonless shirt. Billy Why, that's old. I've worn them ever since my wife learned to ride a bike. Tit-Bits. Tim Infant Olnsn. "Bobby Longeari, give the nlural foe child.' " "Twins." L'llluBtre deToche. CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIANS Itupnrtx of ommlttn to the (iiinrnl ,- I antiilttt. ., A,. .!.. .11 nf .. .j t . .. . .......j .... ...... n. .fan, .,,, rll1l,v illU ;tinrli Ik In Uootl .Mm)),.. Maihmum Mo., May til At yester day's session of tho Cumberland Pres byterian general assembly, Gen. II. II. Norm an, of Murfrccsboro, Tenn., was chosen moderator. Rov. J. W. Laugh lin, of St, Louis, superintendent of tho general missionary work, read tho re port of tho board of missions and church erection. From this report tho following facts wore gleaned: In spite of tho distressed llnnnrlnl condition of the tline, there lire groat reasons for eon Kriitulntlcin over the work of tho boat d. Tho results from anniversary dav, 1803. were tnoro gratifying than last year. Work has been car ried on In 1H city missions. At present 13 ot tlieso aro manned by well-equipped ami oul clout missionaries, Tho Hold occupied by mis sion work hi Japan embrace ono-twentlcth of tho entire area ot tho empire and ono-elghtb of the population. The women's board reports a total receipt for tho year of Stl.0tW.7J. The hum received for foioln missions was P,f70. 22; for homo missions, $2,1(12,27, tho church erection. JI7A8I: .special nad synndleal ofTor I ill?, f2l,l!.,M: a contribution from Mrs. I'.llza both Uarelay, of Petersburg, Ill, of 913,811, Tho church erection fund shows a total of 128, MW.70. of which l.'O.lfil.W) Is loaned to IHoaurhcs. A resolution was passed memorializing Prosl dent MoKlnloy to secure religious liberty and protection for missions liiCcun and tho Philip, plno Islands, whoa tho government Is estab lished, before allowliu? tliotn to pass from un aer tho control of tho United States, AS VIEWED IN LONDON. Nmrxpitper Continue Tlmlr I'm-Aiiinrlcuii CoimiKMits Wlmt ii Kiiropt'iiu War Mlglit llrlng on. Loxtm.v, May 21. The weeklies con tinue their pro-Ainorlean comments on tho war and Its International develop ments. Tho Speaker says: Tho ultlmato rusttlts of tlio war cannot bo doubtful. Any check tho United Status may recolvo will only Increase Its determination to persist. Tho Intervention of tho powers would inako that determination unalterable; and If European complications bring on a Ihiropoau war, every ureal power In Kuropo, except our selves and (Jorniaay, will Had what Italy nail Spain have found already that Its government Is sitting on a volcano. Tho Spectator, discussing tho Span ish crisis, says: The plain truth of tho matter Is that If Senor Sagasta should fall to protect Cuba or to In duce somo of tho continental powers to vonturu upon aotlvo liitorvontloa ho will bo super seded by a military dictatorship or a revolu tionary Junta. SECOND CALL IMPROBABLE. Unless Uiiriri'Ht-ou Clrclliimtiiiiciis llnvelop No Morn Troops Will lie NoccnHury Wants l'lvo 1,'olorml KckIiiiuiiIh. Wahihnoto.v, Muy 21. It Is now stated that President MoKlnloy will mako no further call for volunteers unless unforeseen circumstances ren der suoh a stop necessary. Tho mus tering in of tho 125,000 men alroady called for is proceeding most satlsfac torily. Tho president considers 125, 000 volunteers, tho 10,000 immunes and tho regulars sulllolunt to carry on u successful war. Tho organization of tho regiments is progressing most sat isfactorily. President MoKinloy is greatly in favor of giving the colored people flvo of tho ton regiments that are to bo raised. Mimloror Now h I.loiitiiiint. Ixii:pk.ni)KN(;i:, Mo., May 21. Charles 15. Myers, who about eight years ago was convicted of murder in this coun ty and sentenced to bo hanged, but ro prlovod and later discharged as insane, is now a lieutenant of a Pennsylvania company of volunteers stationed at Chlckaniauga. Myers was convicted forkilllng.John Wolr, of Independence, whllo ho was sleeping in tho Liberty street depot. Ho was murdered for his money, Myers striking him with a coupling pin. Irul ill KnowMlldo lii tlio North'.vi'st. Skattuc, Wash., May 21. Tlio steamer Morgan City has just arrived in port with tho news of a terrible snowslide down tho Valdcs glacier. Fully 100 persons wore caught by tho avalanche and burled allvo. Many wore rescued, however, but probably 20 lives were lost. Among the dead is A. Johnson, of I5ubt St. Louis, 111. The Valdos mountains aro on tho gulf of Georgia, coast of British Columbia. Tlio Cuban lllockiiiln Kimorlcd Illusory. Lo.NDON, May 21. Tlio Madrid cor respondent of tho Standard says: 151 Imptircial expects Senor Aunon to dis play great vigor in tho marine ollice. Tho other papers aro less enthusiastic about him. Tho blockade of Cuba and Porto Rico is considered illusory as Spanish warships and merchant vessels aro frequently moving from port to port between tho islands. Cyclono Cihihch lilt; Propitrty I,oks, Rocki'oui), 111., May 21. Nearly a score of lives lost, dozens of persons injured, closo to SI, 000,000 worth of property destroyed, many farms laid wahto, growing crops out oil', and with ruin and devastation ovurywhero In Its destructive path is tlio partial rec ord of tho terrific oyclone that swept over Carroll and Oglw counties Wednes day evening. .MoKlnloy Will Touch tlio ltutton. Omaha, Nob., May 21. At noon, Wednesday, Juno 1, President MoKin loy will bo placed in telephonic com munication with the officials of tho Transmlsslsslppl exposition and his message will bo read boforo tho assem bled people on tho grounds. Tho presi dent will touch tho button that will start tho exposition machinery in motion. f J