.
.
*
iJi
*L—-THE ADVENTURE <"*F THE
NORWOOD BUILDER.
ROM the
Si^B point of
^^^k view o f
he crlm
^inal ex
pert,”
said Mr.
Sherlock
Holmes,
"London
has be
come a
slngular
^ ly unln
BW terestlng
wnBk, dtyslnce
'itsBi the death
o f the
KxOH late la
% mcnteil
BaaDl P r o f .
§WMj Moriar
■ "I can
BU h a r d 1 y
■■ think
v'JjMlhat you
ugiiiB w o n i <1
tBM find very
many dc
jfffB cent till
WfcjjjH zens to
SSH agree
£S with
|E3you," I
mm anew er
ed.”
■BBi!'».m,
ijss&B well, I
HrM must, not
1B?B he self
9KH Ish," sa Id
^She, with
smile,
iiBU1 * h 0
UJhM push e d
duck, ms
chair from the breakfast table. "The
community u certainly the gainer, and
mo one the loser, save the poor out-of
work specialist whose occupation has
gone. With that man In the field, one's
morning paper presented Infinite pos
sibilities. Often It was only the small
est trace, Watson, the faintest Indica
tion, and yet It was enough to tell me
that the great malignant brain was
there, as the gentlest tremors of the
.edges of the web remind one of the
Haul wider which lurks In the center.
Petty thefts, wanton assaults, pur
poseless outrage—to the man who held
the clue all could be worked Into one
connected whole. To the scientific stu
dent at the higher criminal world, no
capital In Europe offered the advan
tages which London then possessed
But now—’’ He shrugged his shoulders
In humorous deprecation of the state
at things which he had himself done
so much to produce.
At the time of which I speak, Holmes
hmd been back for some months, and I
at bis request had sold my practice
nod returned to share the old quarters
In Baker street A young doctor,
named Verner, had purchased my small
Kensington practice, and given with
astonishingly little demur the highest
price that I ventured to ask—an Inci
dent which only explained Itself some
years later, when 1 found that Verner
was a distant relation of Holmes, and
that it was my friend who had really
found the money.
Ow months of partnership had not
boss no uneventful as he had stated,
far I dad, on looking over my notes,
that this period Includes the case of
the papers "of ex-Presldent Murillo, and
also the shocking affair of the Dutch
steamship Friesland, which so nearly
•oat us both our lives. His cold and
»nad nature was always averse, how
ever. from anything In the shape of
pubUc^applause, and he bound me In
the most stringent terms to say no
Curthsr word of himself, his methods,
or his successes—a prohibition which,
as I have explained, has only now been
removed.
Mr. Sherlock Holmes was leaning
tack la his chair after his whimsical
protest, and waa unfolding hla morn
ing paper in a leisurely fashion, when
•cur attention was arrested by a tre
mendous ring at the bell, followed Im
mediately hy a hollow, drumming
sound, ao if aomeone wera beating on
(he meter door with hla flat As It
opened there came a tumultous rush
Into the hall, rapid feet clattered up
the stair, and an Instant later a wild
eyed and frantic young man, pale, di
sheveled. and palpitating, burst Into
the room. Hs looked from one to the
other of us, and under our gaze of In
quiry he became conscious that some
apology was needed for this uncere
snoaeoua entry.
Tu> awry, Mr. Holmes,” he cried.
“You mustn't blame me. I am nearly
mad. Mr. Holmes, I am the unhappy
John Hector McFarlane,"
He made the announcement as If the
amine alone would explain both his
rlslt and Hs manner, but I could see,
by my companion's unresponsive face,
that It meant no more to him than to
me.
“Hare a cigarette. Mr. McFarlane."
ealtf he. pushing his case across. "I
am sure Hunt, with your symptoms, my
Had IV. Watson here would prescribe
a sedative. The weather has been so
wery warm these last few days. Now,
If you feel a little more composed, X
should be glad If you would sit down
Jn that chair, and tell us very slowly
and quietly who you are, and what It
Pi that you want. You mentioned your
Paine, aa if I should recognise it. but
1 assure you. that beyond the obvious
facts that you are a bachelor, a solic
I ., iter, a Freemason, and an asthmatic.
know uothtng whatever about you.”
| YmxrfKar as I was with my friend's
methods. It was not difficult for me to
•allow his deductions, and to observe
She untidiness of attire, the sheaf of
fegai papers, the watch charm, and
Mur breathing which had prompted
them. Our client, however, stared In
amazement.
“Yu, 1 sni all that, Mr. Holmes;
tad, in addition, I am the most un
fortunate man at this moment In Ion
ian. For heaven's sake, don’t abandon
me. Mr. Holmes' If they conte to ar
mt me before I have finished ray
«tsiry, make them give me time, so
that I may tell you the whole truth. I
ceaM go to gaol happy If I knew that
*®u were working for me outside.”
“Arrest you!” said Holmes "This is
•sally most gratl—most Interesting.
<Si» what charge do you expect to be
urrepted?"
nrppu the charge of murdering Mr.
JrouBS Oldacre, of Lamer Norwood.”
My companion's expressive face
•hewed a sympathy which was not. I
am afraid, entirely umnlxed with sat
isfaction.
*Y>ear me.” said he. 'it was only this
puMsont at breakfast that I whs saying
to my friend. Dr. Watson, that sensa
ijensl cases had dirappeared out of our
gapers.”
■Our visiter stretched forward a qulv
erlng hand and picked up the Dally
Telegraph, which still lay upon Holmes'
knee.
"If you had looked at It, sir, you
would have seen at a glance what the
errand Is on which I have come to
you this morning. I feel as If my
name and my misfortune must be In
every man's mouth." He turned It over
to expose the central page. "Here It
Is, and with your permission I will
read It to you. Listen to this, Mr.
Holmes. The head lines are: 'Mysteri
ous Affair at Lower Norwood. Disap
pearance of a Well Known Builder.
Suspicion of Murder and Arson. A
Clue to the Criminal.' That Is the clue
which they are already following, Mr.
Holmes, and I know that It leads In
fallibly to me. I have been followed
from London Bridge station, and I am
sure that they are only waiting for
the warrant to arrest me. It will break
my mother's heart—It will break her
heart!" He wrung hls hands In an
agony of apprehension, and swayed
backwards and forwards In hls chair.
I looked with Interest upon this man,
who was accused of being the perpe
trator of a crime of violence. He was
flaxen-haired and handspme. In a
washed out negative fashion, with
frightened blue eyes, and a clean
shaven face, with a weak, sensitive
mouth. Hls age may have been about
twenty-seven, hls dress and bearing
that of a gentleman. From the pocket
of hls light summer overcoat protrud
ed the bundle of Indorsed papers which
proclaimed hls profession.
"We must use what time we have,”
said Holmes. "Watson, would you have
the kindness to take the paper and to
read the paragraph In question?"
Underneath the vigorous head lines
which our client had quoted, I read
the following suggestive narrative:
Late last night, or early this morning,
an Incident occurred at Lower Norwood
which points, It Is feared, to a serious
crime. Mr. Jonas Oldacre Is a well known
resident of that suburb, where he has
carried on hls business as a builder for
many years. Mr. Oldacre Is a bachelor,
62 years of age, and lives In Deep Dene
House, at the Sydenham end of the road
of that name. He has had the reputation
of being a man of eccentric habits, secret
ive and retiring. For some years he has
practically withdrawn from the business,
in which he is said to have amassed con
siderable wealth. A small timber yard
still exists, however, at the back of the
house, and last night, about 12 o'clock, an
alarm was given that one of the stacks
was on lire. The engines were soon upon
the spot, but tho dry wood burned with
groat fury, and It was Impossible to ar
rest the conflagration until the stack had
been entirely consumed. Up to this point
the Incident bore the appearance of an
ordinary accident, but fresh Indications
seem to point to serious crime. Surprise
was expressed at the absence of the mas
ter of tho establishment from the scene of
the fire, and an inquiry followed, which
showed that he had disappeared from tho
house. An examination of hls room re
vealed that the bed had not been slept
In, that a safe which stood In It was open,'
that a number of Important papers were
scattered about tho room, and, finally,
that there were signs of a murderous
struggle, slight traces of blood being
found within the room, and an oaken
walking atick, which also showed stains
of blood upon the handle. It is known
that Mr. Jonas Oldacre had received a
late visitor In hls bedroom upon that
night, and the stick found has been Iden
tified as the property of this person, who
Is a young London solicitor named John
Hector McFarlane, junior partner of
Oraham & McFarlane of 428 Gresham
buildings, E. C The police believe that
they havo evidence In their possession
which supplies a very convincing mo
tive,for the crime, and altogether it can
not be doubted that sensational develop
ments will follow.
i'C-L—11 in ruinui eu as we go to press
that Mr. John Hector McFarlane has
actually been arrested on the charge of
the murder of Mr. Jonas Oldacre. It is at
least certain that a warrant has been
issued. There have been further and sin
ister developments in the Investigation at
Norwood. Besides the signs of a strug
gle in the room of the unfortunate bulld->
er it is now known that the French win
dows of his bedroom (which is on the
ground floor) wero found to be open, that
there, jvpre marks hi if some bulky object
had been dragged across to the wood pile,
and. Anally, It Is asserted that charred
remains have been found among the
charcoal ashes of the lire. The police
theory is that a most sensational crime
haa been committed, that the victim was
clubbed to death in his own bedroom, his
papers rifled, and his dead body dragged
across to the wood stack, which was then
Ignited so aa to hide ail traces of the
crime. The conduct of the criminal In
vestigation has been left tn the experi
enced hands of Inspector Lestrade of Scot
land Yard, who is following up the clues
with his accustomed energy and sagacity.
Sherlock Holmes listened with closed
eyes and Anger tips together to this
remarkable account.
"The case has certainly some points
of interest,” said he, in his languid
fashion. "May I ask. In the first place,
Mr. McFarlane, how it Is that you are
still at liberty, since there appears to
be enough evidence to Justify your ar
rest?”
“I live at Torrington T.odge, Black
heath, with my parents, Mr. Holmes,
but last night, having to do business
very late with Mr. Jonas Oldacre. I
stayed at an hotel In Norwood, and
came to my business from there. I
knew nothing of this affair until I was
In the train, when I read what you
have Just heard. I at once saw the
horrible danger of m.v position, and I
hurried to put the caBe Into your hands.
I have no doubt that I should have
been arrested either at my city office
or at my home. A mun followed me
from London Bridge station, and I have
no doubt— Great heaven’s! what is
that?”
It was a clang of the bell, followed
Instantly by heavy steps upon the stair.
A moment later, our old friend Les
trade appeared In the doorway. Over
I
Her Idas.
Man of the House—Is that policeman
who was In the kitchen last night yout
steady company?
The New Cook—He will be. sir, if ]
decide ter stay.
his shoulder I naught a glimpse of ona
or two uniformed policemen outside.
"Mr. John Hector McFarlane?” said
Lestrade.
Our unfortunate client rose with a
ghastly face.
"I arrest you for the wilful murder
of Mr. Jonas Oldacre, of Lower Nor
wood."
McFarlane turned to us with a ges
ture of despair, and sank Into his chair
once more like one who is crushed.
“One moment, Lestrade," said
Holmes. "Half an hour more or less
can make no difference to you, and the
gentleman was about to give us an ac
count of this very Interesting affair,
which might aid us In clearing it up.”
"I think there will be no difficulty In
clearing It up," said Lestrade, grimly.
"None the less, with your permission,
I should be much Interested to hear
his account."
“Well, Mr. Holmes, It is difficult for
me to refuse you anything, for you
have been of use to the force once or
twice In the past, and we owe you a
good turn at Scotland Yard," said Les
tradc. "At the same time I must re
main with my prisoner, and I am
bound to warn him that anything he
may say will appear In evidence
against him."
"I wish nothing better," said our
client. "Ail I ask is that you should
hear and recognize the absolute truth.”
Lestrade looked at his watch. “I’ll
give you half an hour,” said he.
“I must explain first,” said MeFar
Iane, "that I knew nothing of Mr. Jonas
Oldacre. His name was familiar to
me, for many yeans ago my parents
were acquainted with him, but they
drifted apart. I was very much sur
prised, therefore, when yesterday,
about three o’clock In the afternoon,
he walked Into my office in the city.
But I was still more astonished when
he told me the object of his visit. He
had In his hand several sheets of a
note book, covered with scribbled writ
ing—here they are—and he laid them
on my table.
“ ’Here Is my will,’ said he. ‘I want
you. Mr. McFarlane, to cast it Into
proper legal shape. I will sit here
while you do so,'
"I set myself to copy It, and you
can imagine my astonishment when I
found that, with some reservations, he
had left all his property to me. He
was a strange little ferret-like man,
w'th white eyelashes, and when I
looked up at him I found his keen,
grey eyes fixed upon me with an
amused expression. I could hardly be
llve my own senses as I read the terms
of the will; but he explained that he
was a bachelor with hardly any living
relation, that he had known my par
ents In his youth, and that he had al
ways heard of me as a very deserving
young man, and was assured that his
money would be In worthy hands. Of
course, I could only stammer out my
thanks. The will was duly finished,
signed and witnessed by my clerk.
This Is it on the blue paper, and these
slips, as I have explained, are the rough
draft. Sir. Jonas Oldacre then In
formed me that there were a number
of documents—building leases, title
deeds, mortgages, scrip and so forth—
which it was necessary that I should
see and understand. He said that his
mind would not be easy until the whole
tiling was settled, and he begged me
to come out to his house at Norwood
that night, bringing the will with me,
and to- arrange matters. ’Remember,
my boy, not one word to your parents
about the affair until everything is
settled. We will keep it as a little
surprise for them.’ He was very in
sistent upon this point, and made me
promise it faithfully.
"You can imagine, Mr. Holmes, that
I was not in a humor to refuse him
anything that he might ask. He was
my benefactor, and all my desire was
to carry out his wishes In every par
ticular. I sent a telegram home, there
fore, to say that I had Important busi
ness on hand, and that it was Impos
sible for me to say how late I might
be. Mr. Oldacre had told me that he
would like me to have supper with
him at nine, as he might not be home
before that hour. I had Borne diffi
culty In finding his house, however, and
It was nearly half-past before I
reached It. I found him-”
one moment, said Holmes. "Wh»
opened the door?"
"A middle aged woman, who was, I
suppose, his housekeeper.”
"And It was she, I presume, who
mentioned your name?”
"Exactly,” said McFarlane.
"Pray proceed.”
McFarlane wiped his damp brow, and
then continued his narrative.
"I was shown by this woman Into a
sitting room, where a frugal supper
was laid out. Afterwards. Mr. Jonas
Oldacre led me Into his bed room. In
which there stood a heavy safe. This
he opened and took out a mass of docu
ments, which we went over together.
It was between eleven and twelve
when we finished. He remarked that
we must not disturb the housekeeper.
He showed me out through his owh
French window, which had been open
all the time.”
“Was the blind down?” asked
Holmes.
"I will not be sure, but I believe that
It was only half down. Yes, I remem
ber how he pulled It up In order to
swing open the window. I could not
find my stick, and he said, 'Never
mind, my boy, I shall see a good deal
of you now, I hope, and I will keep
your stick until you come back again
to claim It.’ I left him there, the safe
open, and the papers made up In
packets upon the table. It was so
late that I could not get back to Black
heath, so I spent the night at the An
erley Arms, and I knew nothing more
until I read of this horrible affair In
the morning."
"Anything more that you would like
to ask. Mr. Holmes?" said I.estrade.
whose eyebrows had gone up once or
twice during this remarkable explana
tion.
"Not until I have been to Black
heath.”
"You mean to Norwood." said I.es
trade.
“Oh, yes, no doubt that is what I
must have meant,” said Holmes with
his enigmatical smile. I.estrade had
learned by more experiences than he
would care to acknowledge that that
rasor-llke brain could c it through that
which was impenetrable to him. I saw
him look curiously at my compan
ion.
"I think I should like to have a word
with you presently.' Mr. Sherlock
Holmes." said he. "Now Mr. McFar
lane. two of my constables are at the
door, and there is a four-wheeler wait
ing." The wretched young man arose,
and with a last beseeching glance at
us walked from the room. The officers
conducted him to the cab. but Lestrade
remained.
(Continued Next Week)
-. ♦ --
Why Insulted?
Philadelphia Press: Ned—I don't see
why you should feel insulted because
he said your eyes were like stars.
Bess—You don’t? Why. stars keep
winking at you all the time.
Not in Chicago.
Chicago Banker: "Your occupation,"
said the Judge to the prisoner at the
dock, "is given as ’banker,' is that cor
rect ?"
"Yes. sir.” said the ex-convict. ”1 had
no money and no friends, so I opened
a bank. Was that against the law?"
"Not In Chicago,” said the Judge with
a smile.
Absent Mindear.
From the Boston Herald.
! Captain Alexander Hutchins of Klls
| worth. Me., although a eea captain of
' ability, has always been noted for absent
mindedness. On one occasion, while at
home between trips, he decided to have a
l spare chamber In his house lathed and
plastered. Being somewhat of a carpenter,
he undertook this part of It himself, and
labored at It Industriously for a day or
two.
It was Anally lathed according to his
Ideas, and as he drove the last nail and
surveyed his work, not without pride,' he
called his wife to 3ee what a good job he
’had done.
She climbed the stairs, and then paused,
somewhat perplexed, and, after looking In
vain for an entrance, said, ‘‘Why, Alec,
where's the door?”
"By thunder,” exclaimed the captain. In
amazement. "I forgot all about It." He
had actually lathed himself In the room.
TO CURE A COLD IN ONE DAY
Take LAXATIVE BROMO Quinine Tablets.
Druggists refund money If It falls to cure.
& W. Grove's signature la on each box. 25c.
Not a Convert.
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
The ship subsidy was under discussion.
"As I understand it,” said the senator
from the interior, “you want the govern
ment to pay you for going into a proAtablo
business.”
They tried to explain that this course
would make the business even more proAt
able, but he was obdurate.
"Out In my country,” he said, "we do
lot have to bribe farmers to fatten hogs.”
Worth Knowing
—that Alleock’a are the original and
only genuine porous plasters; all other
so called poroua plasters are imitationa.
The Husband’s Suspicion,
From the Philadelphia Press.
“Gee whiz!” explained Luschman, the
next morning, "X haven’t a cent In my
pocket this morning.”
"Well,” remarked his wife, sharply,
"who’s to blame for that but yourself?”
.‘‘I—er—think somebody else has had a
tand In It."
TERRIBLE SCALY ECZEMA.
Eruptions Appeared on Chest, anc
Face and Neck Were All Broken
Out—Cured by Cuticura.
“I had an eruption appear on my
chest and body and extend upwards
and downwards, so that my neck and
face were all broken out; also my arms
and the lower limbs as far as the
knees. I at first thought it was prick
ly heat. But soon scales or crusts
formed where the breaking out was.
Instead of going to a physician, I pur
chased a complete treatment of the
Cuticura Remedies, in which I 'had
great faith, and all was satisfactory.
A year or two later the eruption ap
peared again, only a little lower; but
before It bad time to spread I pro
cured another supply of the Cuticura
Remedies, and continued their use un
til the cure was complete. It is now
five years since the last attack, and
have not seen any signs of a return.
I have more faith in Cuticura Reme
dies for skin diseases than anything
I know of. Emma E. Wilson, Liscomb,
'.owa, Oct. 1, 1905.”
60,000 Bunches of Bananas.
The largest cargo of bananas ever re
reived in any port of the world reached
here Thursday on the United Fruit com
pany's steamer Esparta from Port I.lmon,
Costa Rica. It consisted of 60,000 bunches
of Llmon fruit, which is the largest var
iety of banana shipped to this country,
p.nd it filled 150 box cars. These cars, if
attached to one locomotive, would have
Ftretched a distance of a mile and a half.
The work of discharging this cargo will
lie- tile greatest task the company has ever
undertaken. Once the sister ship of the
Esparta, the I.imon, arrived with 54,000
bunches of fruit, and up to that time the
record was very much smaller. The
Esparta broke the Union's record by 6,000
bunches.
The Southern Pacific road ran out a
special train to assist in the delivery of
this fruit, which will be scattered all over
the country between St. Louis and Van
couver. A portion of the cargo goes to
Houston, Galveston, San Antonio, Los An
geles and San Francisco. Another section
will go to Seattle and Vancouver and thin
train will run a special over the Southern
Pacific straight through San Franciscoarad
up the Pacific coast. Chicago, Omaha,
Kansas City, Detroit, St. Louis, Indian
apolis and several smaller cities will be
supplied with fruit from this one s'ngle
cargo.
It took eight trains loaded with noi.iing
put bananas to carry out the consignment
and there were fifteen messengers in
charge of the fruit.
When the cargo of the Esparta is com
pared with the shipments which wore re
ceived up to a few years ago, and Idea can
be secured as to the wonderful growth
of the Importations.
When the steamers first ran in the fruit
trade they carried on an average of 10,000
bunches each, lust mio-sixth of the Espar
to's cargo. These vessels were chartered
in Norway and made an average of nine
miles an hour. The steamers > ow in the
trade are magnificent ships, fast and
equipped with every modern comfort fot
i limited numlx'r of passengers.
UNDER WHICH KINO.
"The More Poatnm the More Food—
the More Cofee the More Poison.”
The President of the W. C. T. U. in
a young giant State In the Northwest
says:
"I did not realize that I was a slave
to coffee till I left off drinking it. For
three or four years I was obliged to
take a nerve tonic every day. Now I
am free, thanks to Postum Food Cof
fee. ,
•‘After finding out what coffee will
do to its victims. 1 could hardly stand
to have my husband drink it; but he
was not willing to quit. 1 studied for
| months to find a way to induce him to
leave It off. Finally 1 told him I
would make no more coffee.
"I got Postum Food Coffee, and
made It strong—boiled It the required
time, and had him read the little book.
The Road to Welfvllle,’ that comes in
every pkg.
"To-day Postum has no stronger ad
vocate than my husband! He tells
our friends bow to make It, anil that
he got through the winter without a
1 spell of the grip and has not hail a
i headache for months—ue used to ba
I subject to frequent nervous head
, Hchea.
i "The stronger you drink Postum fha
more food you get; the strouger you
drink coffee the more poison you get."
Name given by Poatnm Co., Battle
i Creek, Mich.
| There’s • reason.
..— ......
Reforms in Diplomatic Service.
From tho Autobiography of Andrew D.
White, Copyright by The Century Co.
As the very first thing to be done,
whether our diplomatic service remains
as at present or be improved, I would
urge, as a condition precedent to any
thoroughly good service, that there be
in each of the greater capitals of the
world at which we have a representa
tive, a suitable embassy or legation
building or apartment, owned or leased
for a term of years by the American
government. Every other great power,
and many of the smaller nations, have
provided such quarters for their rep
resentatives, and some years ago Pres
ident Cleveland recommended to con
gress a similar policy. Under the pres
ent system the head of an American
embassy or mission abroad is at a
wretched disadvantage. In many capi
tals he finds it at times impossible to
secure a proper furnished apartment;
and, in some, very difficult to find any
suitable apartment at all, whether fur
nished or unfurnished. Even if he finds
proper rooms, they are frequently in
an unfit quarter of the town, remote
from the residences of his colleagues,
from the public offices, from everybody
and everything related to his work. His
term of office being generally short, he
is usually considered a rather undesir
able tenant, and is charged according
ly. Besides this, the fitting and fur
nishing of such an apartment is a very
great burden, both as regards trouble
and expense. I have twice thus fitted
and furnished a large apartment in
Berlin, and In each case this repre
sented an expenditure of more than the
salary for the first year. Within my
own knowledge, two American minis
ters abroad have impoverished their
families by expenditures of this kind.
Evils of Existing 8ystem.
But this is not the worst. The most
serious result of the existing system
concerns our country.
I have elsewhere shown how, in one
very Important International question
at St. Petersburg, our mistaken policy
in this respect once cost the United
States a sum which would have forever
put that embassy, and, Indeed, many
others besides, on the very best foot
ing. If an American ambassador is
to exercise a really strong influence for
the United States as against other na
tions, he must be properly provided for
as regards his residence and support—
not provided for, Indeed, so largely as
, some representatives of other nations;
! for I neither propose nor desire that
the American representative shall 1ml
| tate the pomp of certain ambassadors
of the greater European powers. But
he ought to be enabled to live respect
ably, and to discharge his duties effic
iently. There should be, in this respect,
what Thomas Jefferson acknowledged
In the declaration of independence as
a duty—"a decent regard for the opin
j ions of mankind.” The present con
! dition of things is frequently humiliat
ing. In the great capitals of Europe
the general public know the British,
French, Austrian, Italian and all other
important embassies or legations, ex
cept that of our country. The Ameri
can embassy or legation has no settled
home, is sometimes in one quarter of
the town, sometimes in another, some
times almost in an attic, sometimes al
most in a cellar, generally inadequate in
its accommodations, and frequently
unfortunate in its surroundings. Both
my official terms at St. Petersburg
showed me that one secret of the great
success of British diplomacy, in all
! parts of th9 world, is that especial
! pains are taken regarding this point,
and that, consequently, every British
embassy is the center of a widespread
I social influence which counts for very
■ much indeed in her political influence.
Present Crying Needs.
The United States, as perhaps the
i wealthiest nation In existence—a na
! tlon far-reaching In the exercise of Its
| foreign policy, with vast and Increasing
commercial and other Interests through
out the world—should. In all substantial
matters, be equally well provided for.
Take our recent relations with Turkey.
We have Insisted on the payment of an
indemnity for the destruction of Amer
ican property, and we have constantly
a vast number of Americans of the
very best sort, and especially our mis
sionaries, who have to be protected
throughout the whole of that vast em
pire. Each of the other great powers
provides Its representative at Constan
tinople with a residence honorable,
suitable and within a proper Inclosure
for Its protection; but the American
minister lives anywhere and every
where—In such premises, over shops
and warehouses, as can be secured—
and he Is liable. In case of trouble be
tween the two nations, to sufTer per
sonal violence and to have his house
sacked by a Turkish mob. No foreign
people, and least of all an oriental peo
ple, can highly respect a diplomatic
representative who, by his surround
ings, seems not to be respected by his
own people. The American government
crfn easily afford the expenditure
needed to provide proper houses or
apartments for its entire diplomatic
corps, but It can hardly afford not to
provide these. Full provision for them
would not burden any American citi
zen to the amount of the half of a
Boston biscuit. Leaving matters fn
their present condition Is, In the long
run. far more costly. I once had oc
casion to consider this matter in the
light of economy, and found that the
colt of the whole diplomatic service of
the United States during an entire year
was only equal to the expenditure In
one of our recent wars during four
hours; so that if any member of the
diplomatic sendee should delay a dec
laration of war merely for the space of
a day, he would defray the cost of the
service for about six years.
Charles Francis Adams, by his ad
mirable diplomatic dealing with the
British foreign office at the crisis of our
civil war, prevented the coming out of
the later confederate cruisers to prey
upon our commerce, and. In all prob
ability. thus averted a quarrel with
Great Britain which would have length
ened our civil war by many years, and
doubtless have cost us hundreds of mil
lions.
General Woodford, our recent minister
at Madrid, undoubtedly delayed our war
with Spain for several months, and skilful
diplomatic Intervention brought that war
to a speedy close just as soon as our mill- j
tary and naval successes made It possible.
The cases are also many wheer our
diplomatic representatives have quieted 111
feelings which would have done great
harm to our commerce. These facts show
that the diplomatic service may well be
called "The Cheap Defense of Nations."
When In addition to this, an American
recalls such priceless services to civiliza
tion, and to the commerce of our country
and cf the world, as those rendered by Mr.
Townsend Harris while American minister
in Japan, the undoubted saving through a
long series of years of many lives and
much property by our ministers In such
outlying parts of the world as Turkey and
China, the promotion of American com
mercial and other Interests, and the secur.
ing of Information which has been precious
to Innumerable American enterprises, It
seems Incontestable that our diplomatic
service ought to be left In its present
slipshod condition. It ought to be put on
the best and most effective footing pos
sible. so that everywhere the men we send
forth to support and ..advance the manifold
Interests of our country shall be thor
oughly well equipped and provided for. To
this end the permanent possession of a
suitable house or apartment In every cap
ital la the foremost and most elementary
of necessities.
And while such a provision i» the first
thing. It would be wise to add, as other
nations do, a moderate allowance for fur
niture, and for keeping the embassy or
legation properly cared for during the
Interim between the departure of one
representative and the arrival of another.
If this were done, the prestige of the
American name and the effectiveness of
the service would be vastly Improved, and
diplomatic posts would be no longer so
onerous and. Indeed, ruinous as they have
been to some of the best men we have
sent abroad.
Salaries Should Be Increased.
And In order fully to free my mind I
will add that, while the provision for a
proper embassy or legation building 1»
the first of all things necessary. It might
also be well to Increase somewhat the
salaries of our representatives abroad.
These may seem large even at present;
but the cost of living has greatly In
creased since they were fixed, and the spe
cial financial demands upon an ambassa
dor or minister at any oi the most Im
portant posts are always far beyond the
present salary. It Is utterly Impossible
for an American diplomatic representative
to do his duty upon the salary now given,
even while living on the most moderate
scale known In the diplomatic corps. To
attempt to do so would deprive him of all
opportunity to exercise that friendly, per
sonal, social Influence which Is so Import
ant an element In hts success.
To sum up my suggestions as to this
part of the subject, I should say; First,
that, as a rule, there should be provided
at each diplomatic post where the United
States has a representative a spacious and
suitable house, either bought by our gov
ernment or taken on a long lease; and
that there should be a small appropria
tion each year for maintaining It as re
gards furniture, care, etc. Secondly, that
American representatives of the highest
grade—namely, ambassadors—should 'have
a salary of at least $25,000 a year; and that
diplomatic representatives of lower grade
should have their salaries raised In the
same proportion. Thirdly, that an addi
tional number of secretaries and attaches
should be provided in the manner and for
the reasons above recommended.
If the carrying out of these reforms
should require an appropriation to the di
plomatic service 50 per cent, higher than
It r.ow is—which Is an amount greater
than would really be required by all the
expenditures I propose, Including interest
upon the purchase money of appropriate
quarters for our representatives abroad— •
the total additional cost to each citizen of
the United States would be less than half
a cent each year.
The first result of these and other re
forms which I have Indicated, beginning
with what Is of the very first Importance—
provision for a proper house or apart
ment In every capital—would certainly be
Increased respect for the United States
and increased effectiveness of Its foreign
representatives.
Indian Spares Consumptive.
From the Washington Post.
A retired colonel of the United States
army told this story between halves of a
football game the other day;
"After the Fort Kearny fight with the
Indians I was sent out Scouting with my
troop, rounding up a band of hostiles.
The week before wo left a consumptive
Englishman showed up at the post. He
was a friend of the colonel's, and he was
trying roughing It as a last chance. He
was in a bad way.
"When the orders came he asked to go
along. He was still strong enough to
ride, and we took him, although rather
against my Judgment. Of course, such a
thing wouldn’t be allowed now adays, but
that was on the old frontier, where rules
were lax.
"We rode for a fortnight and never
found our hostiles. But one rainy night
they found us.
"I remember that the Englishman was
huddled over a little covered camp Are
when tiring started from all sides; and In
ten seconds 300 Indians were riding over
us. They had murdered our outposts and
sprung a surprise. We got together,
formed sorqe kind of a hollow square, and
drove them back. We lost six killed.
"When we had time to look about for
dead and wounded I thought of my Eng
lish friend. He was nowhere In sight. I
supposed, of course, that he had been
killed, and I started scouts to look for his
body.
"They found him lying under a bush.
The trooper who saw him first rolled him
over and found that he was alive and un
hurt. but crying as though his heart would
break.
" 'What’s the matter?* said the trooper. '
" ‘I’m a d»ad man.' said the English
man.
"He wouldn't explain until I had a ses
sion alone with him. It appears that ho
had been sitting by the fire when a buck
on horseback rose up over him with his
gun raised club fashion. The Englishman
threw up his hands and faced the Indian
ready to die like a man. The Indian
caught a full view of his face In the fire
light.
" 'Ugh,' said the Indian In English, 'no
use. Dead man,' and he lowered his gun
and passf»d on.
"There was no heartening the consump
tive after that. Two days later we made
a settlement and dropped him oft in charge
of the keeper of the stage station, and in
a month he was dead.”
Dictating Letters by Telegraph.
Peter V. DeOraw. fourth assistant
postmaster general of the United
States, has recently Installed, and now
has in dally operation one of the most
unique adjuncts ever adopted by a
government offlclnl.
Wilbert Melville, describing the In
novation, In the February Technical
World Magaztne, says;
"Between his private office and the
adjoining room occupied by his'privato
secretary and confidential stenographer
there is in operation what Is undoubted
ly the shortest complete telegraph iin»
In the world.
"Mr. DeOraw. his private secretary,
W. H. Allen, and his stenographer
Mr. Prender, are all old experienced
telegraphers. Upon the desk of each is
a complete sending and receiving ap
paratus, and Mr. DeOraw says he finds
it a most convenient thing In the course
of a day’s business. By the use of his
private line he can call for papers
wanted by him or dictate letters with
out leaving his private room or Inter
rupting in any way the Important con
ferences that take place dally tn his
office.”
The municipality of the German capi
tal has decided to build an under
ground railroad from the north to the
south of the city. The line will be elec
trical and will be owned and operated
by the city. It is estimated that the
work can be done in about three years
and it is stated that the cost of con
struction will be In the neighborhood of
60,000.000 marks. The-emperor Is taking
the keenest Interest In the matter and
has conferred several times with prom
inent engineers connected with the
scheme. >