Nebraska Newspapers

    llllrEEN NORSES ROASTED
^ Ljyery Stable and Contents
Burned at Fremont. '
('reunited and Thirty Thousand
* 'nasHels of oats Destroyed In Sew
York City — A Church in
I lamcs—Other Fires
Fbsmost, Neb., Jan. 10.—About 11:15
-clock last night the alnfm was
sounded for a fire in what is known as
the Blue 1 ront barn on Broad street,
between Second and Third streets.
Xhc building was a very large framo
(structure, occupied by Eugene C.
Smith as a boarding and livery stable.
When first discovered the fire was
bout in the center of the build
imr but soon spread to all parts
fcf it. So fast did the lire
min headway that nothing was
saved. All told there were nineteen
horses in the barn, all of which were
suffocated or burned to death. Mr.
Smith had a large stock of carriages
»mi buggies, all of which were lost
At 1 o'clock the fire was still burning,
but by hard work it was c infined to
the one building where it started, al
though tne office and carpenter shop
of Seelev, Son & Co. was within ten
feet of the ham and separated from it
bv an alley. It was very cold, the
thermometer showing several degrees
below zero, and many of the firemen
were frost bitten.
Many of the horses burned were fine
driving animals and the total loss will
aggregate $5,000.
FIRU IN NEW YORK.
One )Ian Cremated aud Much Damage
Done.
Xkw York, Jan. 10.—At 4:45 this
morning the blacksmith shop in a
wooden building at the corner of Bank
6trcct and Thirteenth avenue was dis
covered to be on fire and with amazing
rapidity the whole building was en
veloped in flames. The stiff western
wind soon blew the flames to
the huge seven-story building oc
cupied by the Van Tassel Ware
house company's building and
that building from top to botttom was
soon aglow with a seething fire.
Shortly after the grain warehouse
caught two men were seen at a win
dow on the fourth floor looking for a
means of escape, one of them. Joseph
Speed.e, managed to gain the grain
chute, through which the boats below
receive their freight, and slid down in
safety to the ground. The other,
Frederick ICopf, tried the stairway,
but as that means of exit had been cut
off by the flames, and as he never was
seen again, he was undoubtedly burned
to death.
Thirty thousand bushels of oats in
the grain warehouse were consumed
and the entire loss is estimated at
$250,000. The new brick stables of the
Knickerbocker Ice company adjoining
the grain warehouse were saved from
much damage, but only through the
strenuous exertions of the firemen.
By 11:30 the flames were under con
trol and all danger of the fire spread
ing further had been averted.
The Pumps Got Out of Order.
Oscoda, Mich., Jan. 15.—The most
destructive fire Ausable has suffered
started in the dry goods store of Dan
Rosenthal & Co., at 8:45 last evening
and was not gotton under control until
1 o’clock this morning, after nineteen
buildings had been burned. All the
hydrants within two blocks of where
the fire started were found to be frozen
up and a delay of half an hour was ex
perienced in getting the first water on,
and then the water works pumps re
fused to work satisfactorily aud only
two small srteams could be thrown.
The thermometer stood at zero, and
this greatly retarded work, loss,
$75,000.
RAILROAD EMPLOYES MEET.
One of the Most Important Convention?
Ever Held In the West.
Chicago, Jan. 16.—One of the largesf
and most important gatherings of rail
toad employes ever held in the west
takes place this evening at Battery D.
In it will be represented engineers,
firemen, conductors, trainmen, oper-'
ators and carmen, and it has been con
vened through the medium of a circu
lar distributed broadcast and signet
oy (irand Secretary Eugene V. Delis,
of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire
®an; Chief Howard, of the Order oi
Kailway Conductors; L. W. Rogers, oi
j Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen,
and Mort Shaw, of the Order of Rail
way Operators. The mass convention
nas been called to consider “The
Northwestern Conspiracy in Its Rela
[on to Organization and Federation,"
ne subject having reference to the
* nke last spring of the Northwestern
switchmen and the filling of theii
.rfis .'‘•I’ ‘“embers of the Brotherhood
01 trainmen.
'Che committee that has called the
•»°e i? ’8 a fair]y representative one,
an the Brotherhood of Locomotive
,,n£‘neers> which does not belong to
i,e. 1deration of Railway Employes,
h»ving a man on it
Trestion to be discussed is a
°st important one, not only to rail
aJ. employes but to every labor or
it.; “tion in the country. Although
c 8 apnounced as “The Northwestern
, ..sPlracy in Its Relation to Organi
i°n and Federation,” the pith of the
for tl?S1°n will be whether it is right
tah* ti me,nbcrs of one organization tc
e the places of members of another
wills a strike is in progress. This
jn vaTe to be answered ii^ open meet
crec *re^ *rom the red tape and so
fni -v °* grand lodges and supreme
Cl s\ an<l the men most affected by
•elv a?tlon will be able to make them
ioni,es heard and express their opin
bill . Rogers, who Signed the
id,',.”as al one time prominently
amw'th the trainmen, but was
tccnrA -the first to place himself upon
f»i. a ln denouncing the action of his
*U°w members.
•Ilm H*U Beat* Joe Tansev.
th. IK°SH* Jan 1« —J‘m Hall,
4sl A.UBtra^an, w’d Joe Tansey in
'n a four-round glove contest at
Hall »Uth S*<*e Turner ball last night,
sad ,apPea,ed to the utmost advantage
°PPon«ot handily. Be
tned to Chicago at midnight.
FIFTY SECOND CONGRESS.
TH« Senate:
U—ThB Tloe-prcal
lent laid before the eenate at its opening
today a communication from the interior
lenartment asking an immediate Z
Sclency appropriation of *150,000.
Z ,he»”Ppo«o* »be Sioux Indian., in
transmitting which the autboritle. of the
lepartment expressed an opinion that un
jeaa the appropriation waa made before
February 1, neat, the remit might poaai
»'y,bB a!?n«w1al of the Sioux ghost dances
tnd the disturbances of last year. The
:ommunlcatlon was referred to the com
nlttee on appropriations.
Washington, Jan. 13.—In the senate to
Jay Mr. Gordon, of Georgia, expressed his
llsapproval of the bill appropriating
1100,000,000 for coast defenses. He thought
the country was in more danger from ex
irayagance than from foreign force.
Mr. Paddock reported favorably from
the committee on agriculture his pure food
MU of the last congress.
Washington, Jan. 14.-In the senate to
lay Mr. Cullom, of Illinois, presented a
sill whioh he said had been forwarded to
»im by Mr. Rogers, chairman of the rail
toad commission in New York, who was.
tlso a member of the organization
laving under discussion the
tpecial subject in question. It was enti
tled “A bill to promote the safety of em
ployes and travelers by compelling com
non carriers to equip their cars with
lutomatic couplers and continuous brakes
tnd the locomotives with driving wheel
Drakes. Mr. Cullom asked that this bill
do read to the committee on Interstate
pommerce and it was so ordered.
Mr. Wilson, of Iowa, presented a bill for
the appointment of two additional justices
for the supreme court of the territory of
Utah.
Among the bills taken up and passed
fcas the following: Authorizing the con
itruction of a bridge across the Missouri
river between the city of Chamberlain, in
Brule county, and Lyman county, in the
•tate of South Dakota.
Wash noton, Jan. 11 —In the house to
$ay Mr. Breckinridge, of Kentucky, intro
duced a resolution for i he repeal of the
retaliatory duties clause of the McKinley
MU. and authorizing the president to open
3ur ports to free those countries which ad
mit our products free of duty.
Mr. Burrows objected to its presentation
And it was withdra wn.
'.rtie rule of the introduction of bills was
extended to cover today and a large num
ber of measures were introduced. A num
ber of bills were introduced.
Mr. Teller presented a concurrent reac
tion recognizing that it was the determ
ined policy of the government to use both
gold and silver as a circulating medium
either under the ratio now established or
snder any other ratio that might
be agreed on and that the presi
dent of the United States shall invite the
nations of the world to a conference to de
cide upon a common ratio for the purpose
of establishing a bi-metallic money circu
lation upon a fixity of value be
tween these governments, this confer
ence to be held at such place as the ma
jority of the nations accepting the invita
tion agreed upon; also authorizing the
^resident, whenever, in his judge
ment, a sufficient number of nations
had agreed upon a ratio, to make an
official declaration of that ratio, and to
authorize all coinage of the United States
to be upon that basis until otherwise or
dered.
At 2:40 p. m. the house adjourned unti
tomorrow.
Washington, Jan. 13.—In the house to
iay Mr. Bland offered a resolution direct
ing the secretary of the treasury to inform
the house if at any time since the 4% per
cent, bonds became due there has not
been money enough on hand to pay them,
and if there has been money on hand why
he has assumed to continue them at 2 per
cent Agreed to.
Saturday, the 30th, was fixed as the day
for eulogizing upon the late Mr. Houk.
Mr. Watson, of Georgia, introduced a
bill to cover in to the treasury the $100,
UtfO.OOO gold reserve.
Mr. Holman offered a resolution against
bounties and subsidies and in favor of
general economy. He demanded the
previous question, which was supported
by a vote of 103 to 54. There was
considerable excitement. The pre
vious question was put, result
ing yeas 154, nays bO. The alliance
men voted no. Mr. Holman asked unani
mous consent for a hour’s debate on each
side. Mr. Reed wanted two hours on a
side. Mr. Holman consented. The de
bate on the resolution was postponed un
til tomorrow.
The house at 2:15 p. m. adjourned.
Wa-hington, Jan. 15.—In the house
Chaplain Milburn invoked divine consola
tion for the queen and family and prayed
that the example of the dead cardinal
might arouse all men to higher Christian
endeavor.
lull UU11C »UU VWUVtn » “ v.—- -
putting salt, lumber, barbed wire and
other staples on the free list.
The Holman resolutions were taken up
igain. Holman stated that after consulta
tion he thought they covered the whole
field and he withdrew his motion to recon
sider the vote ordering the previous ques
tion. He was 1 interrupted by
queries whether' the Chicago fair
and other matters were proper objects for
appropriations, but he made no reply. The
resolutions were divided and a vote on the
first, whleh pnts the house on record
against subsidies and bounties in
aid of private industries or enter
prises, resulted as follows: Yeas, 125;
nays, 41. Tbe second resolution, which
declares that no money ought to be appro
priated except such as is necessary to
carry on the department frugally, effi
ciently and honestly, was passed by 184
yeas to U3 nays.
V Mr. Holman made the usual motion to
reconsider the vote and lay the motion on
the table. Adopted.
FREDDY’S GOOD-BY TO THE CUP.
Ltly Langtry's Darling Will Take to Bi
Chloride of Gold,
New York, Jan. 10.— People in White
Plains say that Fred Gebhard, clubman
and turfman, is about to take the bi
chloride of gold cure. He has already
secured accommodations at the Bron
son house, in White Plains, and is ex
pected there tomorrow. He has
changed his mind several times, how
ever, and may do so again.
Last Saturday he went to White
Plains, accompanied by his sister, Mrs.
Nelson, to look for accommodations.
There are several other friends in the
party. Mr. Gebhard went to the Ora
waupurn house to look for rooms first.
From there the party went to Land
lord Bronson's hotel opposite the stone
court house. The quarters there
suited Mr. Gebhard and his sister and
they immediately ongaged five rooms.
That is alfout one-quarter of the entire
house. They said they would tela
graph when to expect them.
Cardinal Manning's Obsequies.
London. Jan. 18.—It has been finally
decided that the funeral of Cardinal
Manning should be held at the Bromp
ton oratory on Thursday next. The
services will begin at 11 a. m.
Requiem mass will to said by Rt
Rev. William Clifford, bishop of Clif
ton and the sermon will be preached
by the Rt. Rev. John C. Hedley, bishop
of Newport
THE LEAGUE SCHEDUlI.
The Season WIlflTobnbly Constat of 184
Gsmes—Oahlen’s Fix.
Chicago, Jnn. 18.—President Hart is
working on the new schedule, which
will he made up of 133 or 154 games, as
the schedule committee may decide. If
the league concludes to play 154 games
the season will open in the south April
13 and close about the middle of Octo
ber. In such event the first series
would consist of eighty-eight and tho
second of sixty-six games. Each club
will then be scheduled to play seven
games with every other club on the
home grounds, and it is likely that
these games will be played on these
trips, two games each at first and three
on the last visit. The various clubs
have furnished the committees with
dates that they want and dates that
they wish to avoid. The work will be
necessarily slow.
Third Baseman Dahlen will event
ually be a big loser through his short
experience with the Milwaukee club.
During the fall, says the Milwaukee
Sentinel, Dahlen was signed for Mil
waukee at a salary of §3,000 a year.
Prior to this, however, he bad signed a
Chicago contract for 1803 at $1,400 a
year. He got $500 in advance from Mil
waukee. When tho consolidation was
made Dahlen reverted to the Chicago
club at a salary of $1,400 and the Chi
cago club became responsible to Mil
waukee for the $500 advanco money
paid him. This money will be de
ducted from Dahlon's salary and the
consequence will be that next season
he will recoive only $000 instead of the
$3,000 which would have been his had
Milwaukee stayed in the swim.
HE SWORE A LIFE AWAY,
The Chief Witness In s Murder Trial Con
fesses a Conspiracy.
San Francisco, Jan. 16.—Arguments
are being heard today on the motion
(or a new trial in the case of Sidney
W. Bell, the Columbus, 0., boy who
last summer was convicted of the mur
der of Sam Jacobson, a wealthy
Hebrew and man around town, the
crime having been committed under
circumstances that caused a whirlwind
of excitement at the time. The motion
for a new trial is based largely upon the
confession made in Chicago a week
ago by the chief witness for the prose
cution in the trial, the confession be
ing to the effect that he had been in
duced by certain police officials to
swear falsely and that the real mur
derer was a man named Henry
Schwartz. The confession, which fits
in many points that were obscure at
the trial, commands considerable
credence, and it is regarded as certain
that a new trail will be granted. In
this event Bell can never again be con
victed, as, of the two chief witnesses
against him on the trial, one has re
canted his testimony and the other is
dead.
Fakir L> Blanche In Clover,
San Francisco, Jan. 10.—La Blanche,
notwithstanding his disgraceful reeord
in this city, appears to be doing better
than the majority of pugilists who pro
fess to be square. He leaves tonight
for Los Angeles, where he has agreed
to knock out Billy Manning in ten
rounds before the Los Angeles Athletic
club. After this affair he has a match
in Carson City with the Nevada middle
weight champion, and thence he goes
to Denver to spar ten rounds with
Billy Woods. The Pacific club has
given up all ' hope of matching
Choynskt Godfrey wanted $5,000 and
Joe Lannon $5,500, which the club
thought too steep. The Pacific club
wants to match Dempsey and Alec
Greggains, but it is doubtful whether
Jack will re-enter the ring.
Knight. In Session.
Elm City, N. C., Jan. 16 — A state
convention of the Knights of Labor is
in session here today, with Master
Workman Ellen Williams presiding.
One of the most important questions
to be considered is whether the knights
in North Carolina should hereafter
take a part in polities as an organiza
tion.
THE MARKETS
JlIvb Mock.
Bronx Cm. Jon. 18.
Hogs—Light. $3.75@3.85; mixed, $3.80(3
800; heavy, $3.85®8.07)4- .
Cattle—Steers, 1,100 to 1,803 pounds,
►1.00043.75; feeders, $2.50®3 10; stackers,
$2.8004*3.75; cows, common to good, $1.00®
2.00; yearlings, $8.00®8.45; bulls, $1.50®
2.00; veal calves, $8.5u®5.0J.
Chicaoo, Jan 18
Hogs—Light, $3.70(33 85; mixed. $8.80®
4.80; heavy, $3.80®4.15.
Cattle— Extra aud native beeves,
1880(35.60; Stockers and feeders, $8.00®
I. 50; mixed cows and bulls, $1.00®
3.50; 1 exans, $8.80®4. 011
Sheep—Natives, $5.10@5.40; westerns,
<3 75®5.25; Texans, $8.20®4.0a
South (Juans, Jan. 18
Cattle—Choice beeves, $3.25(34.50; cows,
II. 25(32.40; feeders, $2.85® 2.75; bulls,
»f.20®8.1tt
Hogs—Light, $3.75®3.SO; mixed. $8.85®
1.00; neavy, $8.00(38 05i
Katies* Citt, Jan. 18.
Cattle—Extra fancy steers, $3.1S@5.25;
cows, $1.75(0)3.00; stockers and feeders,
|8.00@3.50.
Hogs—Extreme ranges, $3.40®4.05.
i roduee and Provisions
Caicaoo, Jan 18
Flour—Spring patents, $4.40®4 75; «ki
ter patents, $4.40®4.7(X
Wheat — Cash, 85c; May, 00c.
Corn—Cash, b8!^c; May, kij^e.
Oats—Cash, 20>4o; May, 81>sO>
Bye—88)*'a
Barley—60a
Flax—05a
Timothy—$1.28
Whisky—$1.18
Fork—Cash, $11.25; January, $11.22)4 •
May. $11.48>4.
Lard—Cash, $6.15; January, $6.20;
May, $6.45.
Short Bibs— Cash, $5.40®5.50i
Shoulders—$4 50® 4.63)4; short clear,
|5.75®5.85.
Butter—Creamery. 26®S0e; dairy, 24®
27 a
Cheese — Full cream Cheddars, 10)4®
ll)4c; flats, ll®U)*e; Young Amerioat,
12® 18)4C.
Eggs—Fresh 12®22)4a
Hides—Heavy and light green salted,
6c; salted bull, ®4)*c; green
salted calf, 6@6>4c; dry flint, 8c; dry
salted bides, 6®7e; dry calf, 8®0c;
deacons, each, 25a
Tallow—No. 1 solid, 4e; packed, 2®
2)4c; cake, 4)4 o.
Minnispolis. Jan IS.
Wheat—Closing: No. 1 Northern. Jan>
uary, 88)4o; May, 86)ic; on track. No. 1
bard, 86c; No. 1 northern, 85c; Me> $
northern, 80®82a
■THE EXILES.
A RUSSIAN STORY.
- ' CHAPTER X.—ALMOST A TRAGEDY.
What was the cause of this frightful con*
flagration! Who was Its author! Should
it be rogardod merely as a simple accident,
tho result of Borne hunter’s Imprudence, as
Yegor had at first supposed, or os an act of
aggression!
To explain this episode of our tale, we
must recur to some facts already known.
Yegor and M. Lafleur, after having hurl
ed down the rock upon tho chief of police,
thought tho lutter crushed,- burled forever
beneath the broken fragments of tho block.
They were deceived—Yermao still lived.
When he saw tho rock tetter above him,
quickly dropping his horse's bridle, he
threw himself against the vortical wall;
the latter presented a slight projection at
about a man’s height which preserved him.
However, some fragments wounded him on
the right leg. Yermao had only tho loss of
his horse to rogrot.
Screened by the pines dragged along by
tho rock in its fall and, besides, having in
front of him the largest portion of the enor
mous mass precipitated from the sides of the
mountain, he was concealed from every eye.
As a prudential measure, be remained in this
rofuge all night.
The next day, thanks to bathing it with
cold water, the swelling on his log diminish
ed ; ho cut a cane for himself and managed
to reach a Yakouto yourto, erected on one of
the slopes of the Vcrkho-Yansk Moun
tains. Ho romained there only long enough
to take some nourishment 'and to borrow
a Siberian horse. Then, despite his wound,
he at once resumed the pursuit of the fugi
tives.
Shortly afterwards, he met a patrol of
Cossacks on horseback. These men, ques
tioned in regard to the fugitives, whom, as
Yermao thought, they must havo passed, as
serted that they had seen no one.
He informed them that bo was the chief
of police of the government capital, and es
tablished his identity by moans of docu
ments ho boro about him. Then, he direct
ed the Cossacks to notify tho chiefs of
the posts—ostrogs—that several exiles had
fled from Yakoutsk, accompanied by a
foreigner, a Frenchman, and gave them
the descriptions of Yegor and his compan
ions.
Some hours later, Yermao was walking
beside the vast forest in the midst of which
the fugitives had taken refuge. Ho passed
It, and then discovering no sign of them be
yond it, retraced his steps, convinced that
they had penetrated into the forest und hod
not yet quitted it.
What could they bo waiting for, hidden in
this spot! Without doubt, they wished to
put off the scent whoevor might bo seeking
to recapture them.
How was he to find them! How was he
to dislodge them! He was alone and wound
ed; they were numerous and well armed.
He was alone and the forest stretched over
an immense space. Tho struggle was too
unequal.
He reflected for a long while, and, at
last, thought be had found an auxiliary.
Why should.be not omploy a method used
to destroy wild beasts? In his policoman's
eyes, these people wore criminals—Yegor,
Nadege, and the lad, persons condemnod
to labor for life, and M. Lnfleur an assassin.
He at first discardod this idea of setting
fire to the forest, but it persistently returned
on the succeeding days. He finally became
used to it, and found it reasonable. The
trappers fire tho forests to drive away by
means of tho smoko the swurms of mosqui
toes which incommode them. Besides, the
slender supply of provisions obtained from
the Yakouto was diminishing, and, to cap
tho climax, tho horse loaned by tho nomad,
wearying, perhaps, of its idleness, one morn
ing quitted the grass upon which it was
feeding in perfect freedom and returned to
its master’s yourte.
While making up his mind what to do,
Yermac climbod an eminence. There, over
looking tho immense plateau black with
pine.-. and larches, pressed and heaped to
gether as if to favor a conflagration, he
sought for a spot in which to kindle the fire.
Should it bo to tho oast or tho west i Two
parallel mountain spurs enclosed the vast
forest as with insurmountable walls. To
start the fire at one of these extremities
would be to force tho fugitives to make
their exit by the other. On the eastern
side, flight was possible only by passing
through a 3tcep defile with bare sides.
The chief saw how easy it would bo for
him to wait for them there, concealed behind
a rock:
When his plan was at last settled upon,
ho decided to devote the forest to a general
conflagration. He piled dry branches and
brushwood at the feet of the resinous trees,
and, when the night was far enough ad*
vanced, set fire to them.
Then Yermac posted himself on the side
opposite to tho conflagration, in the defile
which presented the solo means of free
egress. Hidden behind rocks intermingled
with dwarf cedars, he watched with an
eager eye for the explosion of the volcano.
He had not long to wait; and when the
plateau resembled a sheet of fire and the
entire sky was as red as blood, Yermac re
coiled in terror from his work of destruc
tion. He passed long hours in anxiety, ask
ing himself if he had not gone too far!—if
he had not devoted to sertain death the un
fortunates hidden in the depths of the
forest! Finally, the gray of a tardy dawn
mingled with the reflections of the conflag
ration.
The chief of police saw two Siberian
horses dash madly towards him—they wore
Yegor’s horses, the third having, doubtless,
perished. His suppositions were verified.
He could not doubt that these horses be
longed to the fugitives. But why did not
the fugitives themselves appear!
He had askod himself this disturbing
question many times, when he saw, emerg
ing from tho defile, a group of straggling
fugitives, whoso huge shadows, produced
by the glowing furnace they had left behind
them, stretched out fantastically in front of
them.
“They are here at last!” cried he.
He examined his arms—his gun and pis
tols; they were in good condition. But his
astonishment was great when, on raising
his head, he counted seven men advancing
in the light of the conflagration, accoutred
like veritable robbers of the steppe and
armed to the teeth. These people had per
ceived him and were coming towards him.
They believed themselves tracked and smok
ed out by patrols of Cossacks, and prepared
to sell their livos dearly.
When within range, two of them aimed
their guns at the chief of police and fired.
“A declaration of war!” said he to him
self, as the balls hummed about his ears
like swift-winged bees. “I have a determ
ined party to deal with! These fellows are,
without doubt, brigands, and, though my
authority does not extend to this district, it
is not I who will shrink from the new duty
the rascals Impose upon mo I I will reply to
them in their own fashion.”
At this ho stopped behind a bush, which
covered him completely, and discharged
both barrels of bis gun at the advancing
group.
Then, these more than strango-loolring
men, instead of remaining massed, scatter
ed. As they marched straight towards tho
bush, they Bred a showor of balls at tho au
dacious man who had tho courage to await
their coming.
Soon Yerraoo was hemmed in on all sides
and entirely at the discretion of his ag
gressors. The latter took position—they
utilized everything—trees, recks, and in
equalities of the ground—and, slowly, giving
themselves time to tulce steady aim, they
mado Yormac a target
The chief of police did not loso his pres
ence of mind and bravoly sustuinod this dis
loyal attack. Throe tluios he reloaded his
gun; ho Bred five shots at one of his adver
saries, tho ono most advanced on his left,
then, whoeling rapidly about discharged his
weapon to tho right at a socond, who, sur
prised as ho was passing from ono troo to
another to advance a few yards, was hit full
in tho breast
To tho howl uttorod by tho latter os he
fell, his companions’ roars of anger re
sponded. The bund of gold-robbers, who
hod terrified the country, hod lost their
chief. '
In an instant, Yormuo was iloodod with
projectiles.
Ho would infallibly bo forced to succumb,
for, besides tho fact that flight was repug
nant to him, ho woll know that to turn his
back would bo but an Indifferent moans of
ameliorating his perilous situation.
Suddenly, ono of tho assailants uttorod a
cry. It was an invitation to his compan
ions to stop tho attack; and Yormac was
much surprised to see como towards him
unarmod the adversary of tho loft, ugalnst
whom most of his efforts had boon directed.
Ho was a very young man, beardless, with
black cyos and tho dull oomploxlon of a
Slavonian, and clad in tho skin garmonts of
tho Yakoutos.
What was Yermao's stupefaction on re
cognizing in this brigand of tho steppes, soon
in the ruddy light of the glowing conflagra
tion, hia son Dimitri I
“Father," cried the latter, “it is II"
“Wretch!” exclaimed Yormac, “Youl
You—with them!—with the gold-robbers I"
“Have no further foar,” said Dimitri,
and he signed to his companions to with
draw.
“So, robber and assassin, you wore on
the point of becoming a parricido I” observed
tho unfortunnto father, a prey to gonulno
despair.
“Futher,” said Dimitri, timidly, “I have
never been an assussln—ne vor, I swear it!"
“Parricido, you becamo one," pursued
Yormac, “when in depriving mo of honor
you took from mo more than llfo 1 Do you
know what I was compelled to do to expiate
your crimes 1 Did you doubt my voluntary
humiliation when I abandoned my position
as Ipruvsnikl -Have you thought of the
contempt and affronts I was foruod to en
. dure while a convict-guard 1”
“Father, tho iniquities of which you have
been tho victim, this odious consuro and
this oxilo which you did not deserve havo
troublod my mind. I havo suffered greatly
in seeing you suffer. I rose in Insurrection
against that blind and criminal society of
which you had so much to complain; I wish
ed to avenge you!”
“Ono obtains vongenneo by rehabilitating
himself in the eyos of those who boliovo him
guilty, or who disbelieving his guilt affirm
it,” said Yormuc, sternly. “Injustice must
be made to bond. And now—”
“And now, what do you wish should
become of mo!'’ interrupted Dimitri. “I
cannot return among honest people—thut is
certain. Abandon mo to my fate! 1 will
livo despised by all and mysolf!’’
••No; you can die!”
“What?” ,
“I say that you can expiate your crimes,
wipe out your shumo and restore mo luc
honor of my uamo—"
••How!"
“By death!”
“You wish mo to die?" said Dimitri, with j
a sad smile. "I havo thought of death many
times, for life is a burden to me. and tho
hours when I feel ready to deliver myself
from it ure growing more and ruoro frequont.
Pationco, futher; soon, porhaps, you will
hear no more of your son!”
“That is not what I wish. Jutsice de
mands a loss voluntary and moro immediate
expiation having tho value and force of pun
ishmont. An ignominious death is requir
ed, and you ure going to receive it at my
hands!”
“A father kill his son!”
•‘There Is here neither fathor nor son I
There Is, on tho other hand, far from every
tribunal, a man whom tho law has conse
crated a Judge, who has never laid asido
that character despite his unwonted forfeit
ure, and who should pronounce your death
sentence! Tliut sentence I will oxeeutc.
Follow me.”
Ho dragged him behind some rocks which
hid both of them from the sight of Dimitri’s
companions. Tho latter seemed to have
divined a stormy explanation between tho
father and son, and held themselves in
readiness to fly to tho assistance of their
comrade.
Dimitri, livid, regardod his father with
that fixed glance which a criminal fastens
on his executioner at the moment of exe
cution, for the young man felt that he was
about to receive his death at his father s
hands.
“Father, your will be done!” murmured
he.
“There are words which should not be
profanod,” said Yermac, in a stern volca
“Give me your belt!” *
“For what purpose 1”
“To tic you to a tree.”
“It is useless; you shall seo that I know
how to die. When I am dead, you will have
to push me to make me fall.”
“Obey; this binding is a humiliation to
which you should submit.”
“If so, I consent to it. Do as you will.”
Dimitri took oft and handed him his long
woollen belt. His father, pushing him
against a larch, passed it around his body
and tied it in a knot behind the tree; then
he placed himself before his son. He
drew from the leather belt, which kept
them at his sides, his two revolvers and
said, with emotion which he did not strive
to hide:
“You are about to die, Dimitri—alas! in
this place! Who could have told me so the
day you were bora!—Ah! if your mother—
Dimitri, turn your thoughts to God! Pray,
my child!”
| “But, first, father, shall I have your par
don after I am dead 1”
“Yes, when you huvo expiated—”
A cold sweat broke out on the chief of po
lice’s forehead. Tho Judge was awakening
in the father.
“Farewell, father; I die repentant!” mur
mured Dimitri
And he closed his eyes.
Yermac drew back three paces. He held
i one of his pistols in each hand. He aimed
them at Dimitri’s breast, ready to fir*
This horrible scone was Illuminated by th<
bloody glare thrown from the destroyed
forest.
Suddenly, Yormae staggered, sank down
and lay stretched upon the ground; ho seen*
od stricken with that doath which he wish
ed to glvo,
"Father!" cried Dimitri, with a sob of ht»
guish.
Tho chief of police could not hoar him
Ha lay deprived of sonso, his fnco was dla
torted and his eyes protruding from thell
sookots.
"Futhcr! It Is I who should dlo, and not
you!—father, return to life 1 Hoar m>
voieo."
Dimitri's companions, unoasy at his dir
appearance, ran up. Whtlo sumo rulonsos
the young man from tho tree, others bent
over tho stiffened body of his father.
"Is ho yet allvol”asked Dimitri, approach
ing,
"No; he Is dead—ho Is entirely cold."
"Oh! fathor, futhcr, pardon mo!” cried he,
borildo htmsolf. "I havo killed you!”
And as If ho feared lost tho arm of th«
eorpso might suddenly lift itsolf to striks
him, ho dure not give bis fathor a llnal etn>
bnu'o.
One of tho gotd-robbora, Imposing slleneo
on tho rest and domnnding attention, then
spoke. Ho was a tall and sinewy man,
gifted with an Intelligent countenance,
"Dimitri," suld ho, taking tho young man
by the arm, "you must be our chiof. Youi
father has killed Kosklntlne.”
•‘Why should Dimitri be ourchlefI” ankeo
another of tho men, n violent follow, a brute
with rod hair and a hard and monnctnglook.
"Wo shall soo I” added ho, without watting,
for an answer.
"He must bo our chief booauso It la in acs
cordonco with tho custom of our band, Ivan!
Tho oldest Is tho chief, and, when ho falls
to respond, tho youngost. .Dimitri is the
youngest among us.”
"I will restore your harmony,"said Dimit
ri, at lust. “My friends, I am about to fot*
sako you, Loavo mo. If my fathor should
recover oonsolousnoss—”
'
:'Cs
/■. ?;
Ym
r~j
“If he should recover consciousness," salJ
Ivan, “ho would kill you. Ho is not tbq
muii to pardon you. But roussuro yourself
—ho Is ronlly dond. Como with us."
“No; depart without mo—leave mo here,*
sold Yermoo’s sou. “And strive to quit
your evy ways."
“What sort of a song are you singlnf
now)” said Ivun. “Since you arc our ohtoC
follow us; you can think over matters later.'
“Ivan is right I" cried the entire band Is
chorus.
Dimitri protested, but tho gold-robbers
laid vlolont hands on him and draggod bltf
away with thorn.
A moment afterwards, they had vanished
behind an elevation, and thoro romulnod,
upon tho spot where tho lorriblo suono had
taken placo und in the vicinity of tho con
flagration, only tho chief of polloo, whosi
body had been hastily covered with branches
cut from the trees, and, twenty yards away,,
tho corpse of tho brigund Koskintlno strip
ped to tho waist
In tho distance, tho forost had finished
burning, Hero and thoro, aroso. from half
extinguished clumps, columns of smoko like
broad watered ribbons. The day, slow to
come and very short at this season, at length
dawned, gradually blanching that which yet
remained In tho sky of tho glaro of the con
flagration.
CHAPTER XI.—THE PRISONER. , (f;
At this momont, from bohlud an uridula
tion of tho soil, ro30 up un enormous ant- Si|S
mal, a bear with brown fur and black limbs,
tho sliouldors of which wore encircled by m
white band rosombllng u collar.
The boast stopped and suddenly showed
fearful energy, occasioned, doubtless, by tho
gnawings of its stomach. It wout to tho , f~i
brigand, who lay stretched in doath upon , ;
tho snow tinged pink by tho conflagration of
tho forest. It walked around tho corpso,
smelled it, and, taking a convenient posi
tion. calmly began to dovour it.
When tho creature had swnllowod the
flesh, which it tore to pioeos with its sharp
nails and crunched with its powerful Jaws, • •
It went, dripping with blood, towards tho
chief of police. Was tho latter about to bo
oaten in his turn I Tho boar turnod tho mo
tionless and purjlyzed body and, afterwards,
methodically, turnod it bock; then it seated
itself upon its haunches, reflected for on.
instant and decided, like tho good econo- ".v
mist, it was, that, having oaten enough for "
that day, and oven for several days, it should
resorvo the rest of its provisions for a time
of ucod.
ix scizeu i ormac Dy mo arm ana, without
sinking its pointed tooth too deeply In the
flesh, drugged his body iu tho direction of
a little clump of dwarf trees.
Arrivod there, it dug a hiding-place in the
earth with its nails, in which it carefully
laid tho chief of police.
Tho bear broke some small bronchos, art
fully placed them over tho food magazine it
had just established, aud covorod tho whole
with snow, which it deftly projected with
its hind paws, turning its back to tho little
in wind.
This done, it wont to comploto its diges
tion somewhat further off, and, perhaps, to
scoff at some brown confrero having a less
keen scent aud loss activity.
Meanwhile, the fugitives—Yegor, Nadege,
M. Lafleur, and tho little Pole—after having
oscuped from tho torrent of flames which
ran from south to north, were returning,
skirting the immense incandescent furnace^
over the eastern road, by which Tokel and
tho liberating sledges would arrive in a few
days.
They had heaped upon two of their horses,
which they had succeeded in recovering,
the pologuc, some saved provisions, the
arms and the clothing, and were progress
ing, Yegor and M. Lafleur earth leading a
horse by the briule. They were advancing
slowly by tho intermittent light of tho con
flagration.
An hour after the burial of the chief of
police, tho fugitives reached the spot where
the bloody fight botween Yermac and the
gold-robbcvs had occurred. They saw blood
scattered about in profusion, and tho re
mains of a devoured human corpso. All
stood mute with amazement at this hidoous
spectacle. On looking closer, Ladislas per
ceived a trace of blood upon the snow, as
if a wounded man had dragged himself
away. He imparted his discovery to Nad
ege.
“There must be a woundod man not fa*
from here!" eried the young girl. “See this
blood, Monsieurs, and this trodden snow.
Oh! if wo have come soon enough to saw*
one of our kind!”
“Let us look into this matter.” ifegorv
1*0 9E CONHKUKD.I
•i
' :
M
Cropping of Russian Women's Haiti
In Russia the cropping of hair on (be
part of women is regarded as a dis- v,
grace. In view of this some idea can v' -
be obtained to the straits to which tho
peasants are striven when the young
women have in many instances* per- ‘
milled their heads to be shorn, selling
their hair to procure food.