j good ship abandoned The Florida Drifting With Sails Set and Lights Lit Supp(„fa That the Crew Mutinied, Killed the Oftlcer* and Took to the Boats The Men Known to Have Been Dluatlilled. New York, Feb. 5.—The big ship fiunic, which arrived from Liverpool, brought in a strange story of the sea. yvtTn. in., January 29, in latitude 44 minutes 50 seconds and longitude 43 minutes 40 seconds, she passed the de relict Norwegian ship Florida. The Florida was rolling about on the waves, changing her course with every shift of the wind. No sign of life could be seen on board. Her side lights were burning as if she had been lately aban doned. Where were her men? Where was her skipper? Depd—murdered, perhaps; at any rate the big ship, still flying the Norwegian flag at her fore peak, reeled about on the waves like a drunken man. The Florida left Pascagoula on De cember 31, hound for Derdrecht On January 3 she put into Ship Island and five days later cast anchor at Havana. There her captain reported that her crew were in a state of mutiny. The crew charged the skipper with inhu inanity, and had threatened his life. The Norwegian consul prevailed upon some of the men to return to duty. Those who refused were put in irons and returned to the vessel. On Janu ary 10 the Florida hoisted her big sails and the last seen of her by the people on the Havana piers she was heading straight for Norway. Next comes the strange story of the uanic. Perhaps down in the hold of the drifting vessel the ironed men Were dying. It may have been that the crew of the ship took to the boats and left tho captain to shift for him self. There is very little of the milk of human kindness in a mutinous crew. It is doubtless another tragedy of the sea, and the Florida will con tinue to veer and swing about the ocean until some day there will come a storm and she will go to the bottom, taking her tragic history with her. The vessel appeared to the Kunic’s offi cers to be seaworthy and there is no apparent reason why she should have been deserted, even had the crew mu tinied. A broad deck is always more comfortable than a frail boat, and es pecially on the high seas. Stories have been told of ships in the tropic seas which were suddenly in vaded with the plague and entirely de populated. Could this have happened with the Florida? It may have been, and yet there was no plague or fever in Havana Far more likely that some time in the midnight watches there were shouts and shots and trampling of feet and clanking of chains and running of blood, and then a great carnival of drunkenness and rudcrless drifting. Then after all of this was over and the knowledge of their crime burst upon them, the mutineers loaded the boats with a great clattering of the davits, cursing and endless confusion,, and rowed away over the sea, a gang of Eugene Arams fleeing from their crime. Such things may have been. Anger and hate might lead them to the crimes and fear cause them to leave the ship, The Florida was registered at 1,264 tons and carried a crew of twenty-five men. She was built in 1867 by L. King, at St. John, -N. B., and was originally called the Laura Fletclier. She is owned by Harsen & Abra'ftison, of Porsgund, Norway. PEARLS OF GREAT PRICE. Mrs. Osborn* Paying; Dearly for the Har Groaves Jewels. London, Feb. 5.—Mrs. Florence Ethel Osborne, who was arrested at Divers, yesterday, upon landing there from the Calais steamer, charged’ in connection with the famous Osborne Hargreaves stolen pearl case, with ob taining the sum of £550 from Messrs. Spink & Sons, jewelers, of Bond street, the amount alleged to have been paid to her for the stolen jewelry, was brought up ^prisoner this morning in the Guild hall court The lord mayor of London, the Hon. David Evans, pre sided. Mrs. Osborne, who was deadly pa'e and in a fainting condition, was escorted to a seat at the solicitor's table. At the opening of the court by the lord mayor there was a long painful delay and much whispering to and by the court Apparently there was some hitch in the proceedings Then it was reported that the treasury officials had decided not to prosecute on the charges referred to above, but to arraign her upon the more serious charge of perjury. As the time wore ®n and nobody appeared for the treasury, tho lord mayor became im patient and finally sent a messenger, bearing a warmly worded note, to the treasury department, asking the reason *°r the neglect of the treasury t° send a representative to pre ■ent the charge against Mrs. Osborne and notifying the depart ment that the prisoner would be dis charged unless the treasury was promptly represented at the Guild hall, f he result of the lord mayor's message to the treasury department was that an official from that branch of the gov ernment appeared at the Guild hall and announced that the treasury did n°t intend lo offer any evidence against Mrs. Osborne. The lord mayor, ®? Boon as he hnd recovered from the state of dumbfoundedness in which he had been plunged by the announce ment of )he treasury's determination, discharged the prisoner, and she left the court room amidst applause from those who had gathered to witness her discomfiture. f’he treasury's representative was questioned as to the reason for the unexpected •tep on the part of the government, but tho official mentioned, Vefuscd to enlighten his questioners as to the reason his department had for refusing to press the false pre senses charge against Mrs Osborns Later In the day it transpired that Mr*. Osborne Was re arrested shortly “fter leaving the Quild hall, placed in a cab and driven to the Bow street police court, where she was formally charged with perjury. The prisoner was crying bitterly when placed in the dock of the famous police court. After hearing the evidence Mrs. Osborne was formally remanded for a week without bail. THE GRANT MONUMENT. /V Mare’s Mest Thai Will Startle the Donators Promised. hiEW York, Feb. 5.—There is every reason to predict the early dissolution of the squabbling organization known as the Grant Monument association! The latest row was started by the Cullis crowd when they tried to run things to suit themselves on Monday. Colonel Shepard was one of them, and he sprung a plan to postpone the awarding of bids for the construction of the granite base of the monument in order that his (the colonel’s) crowd, which is the same as the Cullis crowd, might have time to control a majority of the votes The colonel carried his point. Then the colonel introduced a resolution calling upon Governor Flower to resign as ex-oftlclo member of the board of trustees The members of the board not in the deal broke out with a big kick and a lively discussion followed without conclusion. Some of the members of the board are opposed to the petty squabbles which have characterized the associa tion for the last two months, but if Governor Flower resigns, the execu tive committee, controlled by the Shepard and Cullis crowd, will have the appointment of his successor, and can do as they please. One of the members, who is for peace, says that a bill will bo introduced in the legisla ture to wipe out the association. A gentleman formerly connected with the association says that since its organization six years ago the associa tion has raised less than $100,000 of the $155,000 collected to build the monu ment. The present plans for the mon ument contemplate a structure to cost $500,000. During the last six months scarcely $10,000 has been raised, and most of this came from Sunday school entertainments and cheap shows. A well known publisher, who has an unauthorized claim against the asso ciation, has instructed his attorney to begin suit upon a matter leading into the very heart of the association, and has no hesitation in declaring that there is a “mare's nest" which will startle the donators to the fund and wind up the organization as it is at present. THAYER WAVERING. Great Pressure Brought to Bear on Him-* All Sorts of Rumors, Lincoln, Neb,, Feb. 5.—It is easily apparent that the continued suspense over what course Governor Thayer in tends to pursue must be ended either today or Saturday. Monday morning the governor leaves, according to his present plans, in company with other state officers, for Texas, where it is re ported he will take active control over the affairs of the syndicate in which he is interested. Before he leaves he must place the reins of the state in someone's hands. He must either in form Governor Boyd that he is at lib erty to take immediate possession, or call upon Lieutenant-Governor Tom Majors to assume control. If he turns the office over to Majors it will mean that he has decided to hang on to the last Majors, it is said, is a Boyd man, and would immediately upon the departure of Thayer turn the office over to Boyd, unless it should have been stipulated and agreed between Thayer and Majors that Majors should only follow out the orders of his chief. There were all sorts of rumors float ing around the state house. Some of them were that Thayer would wait for a mandate. Others had it upon the best of authority 'that Thayer had wired Majors to come and take possession, while seemingly well-au thenticated rumors pointed to an im mediate surrender to Boyd. One rumor seemed to be as strongly backed as the others and it was a simple matter of pick and choose. Thayer could not be found. lie left his office before noon and has not been seen since and no in formation could be obtained from his clerka It was finally pretty truth fully established that he had gone to Omaha to have another conference with his attorney, John L. Webster. Tom Majors came in from Omaha on the upon train to confer with Thayer, but was unable to find him, and. claimed to be as much in the dark as to his whereabouts as everyone else. The truth of the whole matter probably is that Thayer realizes that be must immedi ately declare his intentions. There can be no doubt but that at first he was determined to hang on as long as possible, but such influence has been brought to bear upon him that he is compelled to at least listen to it It is likely that after his conference with Webster he will try and come to a de cision which will be announced either tomorrow or Saturday. SIR MORRELL MACKENZIE. A Skilful ITiyuIclan of Very Elastic Con science. • BF.Ri.iy, Feb. 5.—The newspapers take various views of the late Sir Mor rell Mackenzie, according- as they favor or condemn his treatment of the late Emperor Frederick. There are but few words of approval, either in the press or in public, for the dead physi cian, and the National Zeitung prob ably voices the prevalent sentiment when it says: “At Mackenzie's grave we will not say more than that he was a skilful physician of very elastic con science.” __ '_ Tannery Damaged by Fire. Cincinnati, O, Feb. 5.—Barders’ Sons’ tannery was damaged by fire this morning to the amount of 330,000. The blaze started in the bark shed and spread raDidly. Insurance, about $15, 000. _ Old Turf Han Killed. Lexington, Ky., Feb. 5.—General James F. Robinson, one of the best known turf men in the country, died here this morning. He has been presi dent of the Kentucky Turf association for the past twenty years. He was «0 years old. ALU DOING SOLID FOR HILL. New York Certain to He >, to 11V. The question recurring on the amendment it was adopted, thus pro viding that no legislation would be ger mane on appropriation bills except such as retrenched expenditures. Washington, Feb. 4.—In the bouse to day the senate bill to pay West Virginia $151,078 under the direct tax law, wa< laid before the house. Mr. Wilson, of West Virginia, objected to immediate con sideration, and the bill was referred. The senate bill to create a fourth judi cial district in Utah was passed. The consideration of the rules was then resumed. Mr. Enloe, of Tennessee, moved an amendment that .memorial ser vices and eulogies take place on Sundays so as not to take up the time of the regular sessions There was considerable debate on this point The amendment waa re jected, 169 to 9L Mr. O'Neill, democrat, of Missouri, of fared an amendment making It eomptA, »ory Inetead of optional on the homo (aa provided In the nilaa) to oonelder PtlvaW hill* on each Friday. Lost, III to 87. | Mr. Heed offered a substitute for raw 21, providing for the order of business,**# tending the morning hour Indefinitely. The amendment was rejected by 104 to SU^ tin motion of Mr. Chlpman. of Michigan. Friday evening of each week wo* Ml ajiart for the coneideratlon of pernios WunixoTON, Fcq. a-In the houe* 4 day Mr. Boatnor, of Louisiana, reported j favorably from the comnnttoe on Judlolary' j a bill to require judge*’of United State* court* to give an opinion on questions of 1 .fact Mr. Raynor, of Maryland, fromtbo com- ' fij/ mltteo on Inlcratate ami foreign commerce, reported a bill to allow railroad cornpoa- , lea to give apeelul rate* to commercial \? traveler*. The bouse In committee of the wliolo /’ then proeoeiled to consider the Hendoraon resolution of Inquiry regarding the ex peudlture for tlio world'* fair, and the substitute of the commlltao on appropri ation*. Mr. IfendcrHon, of Iowa, explained hi* rcsRlutlon and *tated that tlio country would nut Mitstnlit eongro** in making V1 further appropriation, mile.a it noted with wladom and patriotism. Ho cited the salaries paid the various ofllelal of the United Status and said the "alary paid to the director genoral wao second only to that of tlio prosiden*. lf> For one he did not propone to ntand before the country willing to. make Much npproprlnllnn*. He thought the committee on appropriation* only had lur Isdlutlon over the proceeding of the world'* fair commission III* resolution did nob seek to Investigate the local corpora tion. Ills judgment was that the appropriation committee should Investigate. The world'* fair committee should deal with locul corporations. The debate assuming a wldo range, 14 wo* c‘ finally agreed that a vote on the resolu tion of inquiry should be taken at 4 o'clock. MANAGING A BABY. The lied-Faced Old (Icntlfunan Mad* tk* lllitiiln of 111* Life. As the Michigan Control train waa ■ coming to Detroit one day last week, sayH tho Free Press of that city, there was a baby on board that cried for two straight hours. It was not a cry* of teething or colic, but just the whin ing squall of an infant vixen that wasn’t going to bo suited anyhow. The pas sengers on tho car could neither sleep, nor read, anil at last a red-faced old gentleman turned to the mother and said: “Madame, If you would stop trotting tho life out of that young’un It would let up soroarning.” “I guess I know ;V more about babies than you do,* snapped the mother. v "Well, all I’ve got to say is I’ve raised eight and the whole caboodle of them never made as much noise a* ... that one,” lie retorted. "Perhaps you would like to try your hand on tbi» one. If you can stop him it’s mora than I can do." “Give him to mo, madamo, and la ten minutes ho'U be as quiet as a lamb. I’ve seen worse children many a time.* Ho winked at the other passengers as he reached out his hands for the baby. “Tootsoy-wootsoy turn,” ho urged, and tho infant opened ono eye* to look at him, while it stiffened like a poker,and roared louder than over. “If yon will step Into the next car so that it wont see von," said the obliging traveler, “I can hush him sooner. Ho’U bo all right, ma'am, don’t you worry.* “I won't," said tho woman thankfully, as she resigned the squaUer and disap peared into the next car. “H-u-s-h-n, now, little fellow; ride a cock horse to Banbury cross, there was an old wo man sb-sh-sh— let go of my hair, you little wretch!” The baby had tangled its fingers in tho chin-whiskers of its new fricml, and was pulling them out by the roots. “Stop that noise,” howl ed the passengers in chorus, “or givo that, kill back to its mother.” He would have been very glad to have acceded to cither of these re quests, but tho mother was gone and tlie baby was increasing Ids music ev ery minute. “Walky-walky, pet?" he asked in a voice like a calliope; “hush, my dear, lie still and—murder! Won’t somebody go aftpr its mother?" But nobody would stir. They all wanted to see him manage that baby. When the conductor called “Detroit” and the train slowed into the depot a wild-eyed man, eoatlcss and disheveled, was tear ing from one end of the train to the other, while the baby screamed over his shoulder. “I’ll take him now,* said a mild voice, and as its mother appeared that child stopped howling, a cherub smile dimpled its face, and it looked as if it bod never shed a tear in its life. But its volunteer nurse was a if complete wreck. GREAT SAURIANS. Borne Troths About the Risgeit Keptllaf Which Grow In the United States. “Did you ever see an alligator catch flies?" asked a naturalist of a Washing* ton Star writer. “I have watched the performance by the hour. The saurian lies on a muddy hank in the sun with his mouth open. Winged insects, at tracted by tho saliva of the boast, gather in swarms upon its tongue just as though it were a sheet of fly paper. When a number has collected'it closes its jaws suddenly, and with a gulp the little _ torments have disappeared, affording at once revenge and an agree able flavor. You have often heard, X dare say, of the little bird that enter* the mouth of the crocodilo without fear, in order to pluck therefrom cer tain parasites which the reptiles could not otherwise get rid of. Tluit is a fact, although it failed to liB recog nized as such by science for a lour time. “On many occasions I have had op portunities of observing alligators in pursuit of prey. They will eat moat in I any shape, from water fowl to tishes. Sometimes they moor themselves by their tails to the shore, with mouths agape, and silently absorb shoals of mullet and other comparatively small fry whicli pass along through the | shallows. But a favorito way of theirs I is to lie upon the surface of tho water 1 and quietly gobble any ducks or other I animals that come within reach. Their heads are so constructed that when they are thus floating only their eyes and the tip end of the nose are above i the surface. Thus they are able to • breathe and to see at the same time, without exposing themselves to any extent. A snap and all is over wit* the victim.