CAPITAL iCTY COURIER, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 189: 7 r A WISE FATHER. Tho Fourth Is licront last. I know, For ero the night hud fled, Outiiltlu in)' w lm!ur canto n noUo That jnnkcd mo out of bed. Anil then another lotut report. The windows fairly shook) t crawled bnck Into bed again, I did not enre to look. Iliad no curiosity, I much prefcred to hMci 1 knuu' It was tu' youngest kid Who lay for die outside. Tou IjAnsino. MIDDLETON'S LUCK. A rOUHTH OF JULY STOUY. (Copyright, IMW. All rights rcscncd.1 tl T IS Inconcclva- bio to me. Do yo:i ncttmlly propose jdo spend your life flxctv, among these egraded cron tures?" "I don't like to hear you speak in that way of my people, Violet They nro not ile graded, but lion est, faithful toll crs. I believe them to be Mil rerely attached to inc. and 1 have a profound Interest In tlicin and their Mm pic lives, Yen, I expect t shall iiIwiijb live near the mines and keep an eye on them I do not believe that the owner of large property Interest should absent himself from them and lenvu affairs In the hands of subordinates." The girl turned her beautiful, Insolent face toward the row of miners' cottagis which dotted the hillsides above them, and after staring through her gold rimmed lorgnette at the tiny habitations a mo nient, dropped it and said contemptuously "Fancy!" Tho two walked on In silence. Tom Mid dlcton was too hurt to speak. This was not tbo first altercation he had had with bin flnncec, Miss Violet Vancouver, on this subject. Itoth were iiosltivu in their opln ions. Knch tegurded the uucstion from standpolulH as opposite as tlie two poles. Tom felt n hopeless sort of rage as he glanced from under Ills eyelids ut the fair, proud, contemptuous fncu under the big white parasol at his side, And as tliey walked, it vague idea, which of late had puzzled him more than once, crept again In his mind. Could they a' far apart in their convictions and opinions as two planets could they ever be happy together? Ho tried to fancy himself mar ried to Violet. He. saw her up at his beau tlful house on the hill yonder a queen in her drawing room. Hut when be tried to fancy her going about from cottage to cot tage, looking after the sick and feeble ten ants when hu attempted for one moment to imagine Violet as a ministering angel, bo smiled cynically Miss Vancouver re garded him coldly "1 am charmed that you amuse your elf," she saiil, "1 was wondering what you would do In case of an explosion in the mines," said Tom. with surprising candor The carriage which they had left for their walk was approaching. Violet put up her baud, dainty in Its soft suede glove, and signaled the coachman. 'I am going back to the house," she said haughtily "Don't trouble yourself to come with me. No doulit you are needed 'down at the mines," and before Tom could recover from this sudden sally Violet had beaten a masterly retreat. Miss Vancouver was a thorough Anglo maniac. Tom Mlddletou, to whom she had been betrothed for six months, was on the coutrary a typical American, be lieving in his country, its customs, laws and life. He had his own ideas ou the re lations between capital and lalwr, and be lleved that every employer could Indlvldu ally do much to lessen the antipathy be tween the classes. Therefore lie preferred to manage the Spitfire iron mines, of which he was part owner, to trusting af fairs to another and idling his time away in tho customary pursuits of )onng men of wealth. His firmness on this point had vexed and annoyed Miss Vancouver beyond descrip tion. Repeatedly had she urged Tom to -delegate his duties to an overseer, come to the city where she lived and lead "the life of a gentleman," as she was pleased to put it. Hut Mlddletou was exaspcrutlugly stubborn and refused to leave the mines. Violet and her mother had been visiting the Mlddletons through the lovely mouth of June, anil Tom had made one more futile attempt to interest her in bis alms and his life, but without avail. Violet drove back to the house this morning to sulk in stately fashion, while Tom walked slowly dowu to his office at the mouth of the mine, his hands in his pockets, his eyes upon the ground, thinking. He was still thinking as he entered the ofllce thinking of that inflexible little blond head, turned so haughtily away from him as It vanished from his sight. Possibly it was because he was thinking of Violet's still neck anil delimit back hair that ho Buddeuly noticed another head bent over the big ledger on the tall desk. It wan quite as shapely as bis lianeee's. The hair was a deep bronze, and grew close to the temples, rippled Just over the ears and was isihlieil up at the back to show a very white, soft, pliant looking neck. Tom looked at that neck thought fully. It wasn't a bit stilf . It had a do Jlghtfully womanly and yielding appear anco, and the hair above it was soft and silky and seemed not to have a loo disa greeable will of Its own The owner of this neck and back hair lifted her head and turned her face as she heard Middle ton's step. A light leaped into the gray eyes and a smile parted the sensitive lips "Good morning, Mr .Mlddletou." Somehow the daily salutation from his pretty liookkeeper had never before fallen quite so musically ou Tom's bearing. The gentle voice rested him, for Violet's con temptuousacceuts had tired him woefully. "Good morning. MlssUlnytou," he said. "Any news?" "There waa a delegation from the men here this morning," Miss Clayton answered. "There were Siuithsou, .Jenkins, Preston mid that terrible beast Jim Howling, who wan Intoxicated and ugly." "What did they want?" asked Middle ton carelessly, preparing to oH-n his mail. "They seena-d very excited, almost angry," replied Mliuic:iitytoii, jiml' nll they should) return uIkjiii noon and hoped you would lie here." Mlddletou made no answer, but was soon absorU-d In bis (.orresondeiiie No sound was heard hut the scratch of MIkh Clay ton's K'ii and the rustling of papers, until a ponderous bell iiImivc the olllce sounded t eh e strokes Then there came a bang on tin-olllce door, and presently the dele 1 . vs. f?WM. ffl V A.Z,M -n ' gation entered, hea'ded by Jim Dowllim. flushed, noisy, mote siirl than usual This man was a firebrand, a constant tin u ace to the coii'inuulty's peace, an Inst Iga tor of broils ivid dissensions, Ah! good morning, bojs," said Mlddlo ton cheerily 'What can I do for jou" Smitlisou and theothcrs looked ashamed at this tordlal reception, hcitntcd and hung back. Not so Howling, who bins. tered forward and swinging one big list down Upon the other, said I "The Isjys have agreed that they uitirt . have two half holidays through the sum tner and another dollilr a day, and they want to know when yoti'to goln to put. Ihein new riHifs ou their shanties. Here It Is the 1st of July and nothing done. They think they'te waited long enough. D'ye, hearf" he concluded Insolently "Is this the demand of thu men," nsked , Mlddletou quietly, "oris It Jim Howling' demand?" Smlthsoti spoke up eagerly, "We all know, Mr. Mlddletou, that ybu 'always do what's right by us and" "Shut up your head," roared Dow- Hug. "There that will do," said Mlddletou, still with that same ominous calmness. "That's just enough to show me that you. Howling, and jou alone, are responsible for this affair. Now 1 refuse absolutely to listen to you or hold any parley with you. I want you to leave my olllce at once. I will talk with you, Isiys, In a moment." "1 won't go," snarled Don ling "Oh, yes you will," and before the llvc rufllau could realize what was transpiring lie was syl.cd by tho white faced athlete mid hurled sprawling on the ground In front of the olllce "Vlhllglvelt to him, Mr Mlddletou," shrieked a high, shrill voice, and leaping with joy at Dowliug's discomfiture, came the enfant terrlb'e of the nelghboihood, Trickled, tow headed, Impish "Hub" Clay ton, brother of the pretty bookkeeper and supported by his orphan sister's earnings, "give It to him, I'm with you," and he squared olT ami doubled up his puny fists at Howling, who staggering to his feet hurled a tornado of curses at tho master vt the mines "I'll pay you for this," lie growled as he retreated. "I'll pay you and give you coin pound Interest curse you," then slunk away pursued by the hoots and contumely of "Hub" Clayton and his followers. There was a short conference between I Mlddletou and his men which must bav I resulted satisfactorily, for they shook his hand at parting and with smiling faces ' proceeded to the nearest saloon to drill their employer's health, lu xlnt of fact, Mlddletou learned that Howling bad instl uated the scheme, taunted and dared the others to make these demands and Insisted oubelugthelrspokestu.nl When Middle ton showed them the letter from thu archi tect whose plans for repairing the miners' cottages ho had accepted, when be told them of the preparations he was making for the approaching Fourth of July cole hratlou, they burst into cheers and then begged Ills pardon for having been tern porarlly led astray When, after closing the door behind tils visitors and lelaxlug a lilt from the strain lie had been under, Mlddletou turned back to his desk lie felt a timid touch oiihlsariu lie looked upstraight ilitou palrof lustrous gray eyes swimming with tears. "Why. my child." he exclaimed, 'what is the matter?" "That dieailful man," she faltered; "he will do something to you, I am afraid " "Nonsense, my dear," said Mlddletou, patting her arm In quite a fatherly man tier, "don't cry Von are upset, and I don't wonder." "Hut, please," Hess said tremulously, 'please look out for that beast, and and carry a pistol or something. His fate was murderous." That night at dinner Mlddletou wa strangely preoccupied. Somehow hu could not banish the events of the morning, and through the light and the llowers about : the table, in the sparkling amber in his wineglass, he saw that sweet, troubled face and the big gray eyes swimming in tears. After dinner Violet came out upon the veranda where Tom sat smoking and de posited her llully draperies, her laces and frills upon a bamboo lounge. She wore her most aristocratic expression while a hardening alxiut the pretty lips betokened an oncoming contest. "Tom, dear." she drawled, "what ' this new absurdity of which I hear?" "Absurdity?" repeated Tom, "I don't know, Violet, to what you refer." "Is It possible that you propose to give the miners a Fourth of July celebration?" "Indeed I do. Honflres races, rockets a rattling good old fashioned hurrah. And every little chap is to have punk and flru crackers and every little girl torpedoes." "You are only spoiling these creatures," began Violet, when to her amazement Tom rose and towered over her. looking very big, very aggressive, very masterful. "Once, and for all, Violet," he said coolly, "will you have the goodness to stop nagging me about my business? I will RW1 HOWI.IKO IIHAI.T MIIHIl.KTON A I'OWF.KFUL lll.OW not tolerate it I shall do what I think best for the com foit and happiness of my people Their lives are hard enough, God knows " "Ob, as jou llkv,"huid Violet, shrugging her shoulders, "only don't fancy that I shall ever taku any Interest in your absurd Quixotism," ami trailing her laces after her she swept into the house For the next two daj's an atmosphere of expectancy hung over and around the Spitfire mines The women gossiped from their doors, the miners collected In groups after hours and discussed the treat in store, whlie the children shrieked and ran hither and yon in very wantonness of ecstasy. Wnen big boxes were unloaded and stored away in the rear of .Mlddleton's ofllce, and It was whispered that those Imjxcs contained firecrackers, pluwheels, torKsloes anil Roman caudles, it was with dlllluulty that the small boy kept from bursting with Joy. Mlddletou caused .the news ttfls.' circulated that on the iiibriiiug of the Fourth all the children were to pre sent themselves at his olllce, each to re ceive Ids or her share of the ssiils. Probably no one was more electrified by this statement than "Huh" Clajtou. One of the most lovable bojs in the world, he yet was the emlNnllmeiit of mischief The deviltry he could not uiueoft was poor In . V deed riven In the course of onllhary htl man event his wickedness was tinctured with a mat volutin and Interesting Ingeiiu ity Judge, then, what tare and utiex peeled traits lie det eloped u tho two days preceding the Fourth with the spirit of 'Til In the air The high Jinks he Im ruled were nppulll'ig, and when he llnlshed his sublime career ou the afternoon of the IM by driving Klunegan's pig and Kmlthson's calf landeni through the streets his gen lie, long sillleilng sister fell Upon him, shook him, put him to bed and told him that she should ask Mr. Mlddletou as a personal favor to herself not to give lilin any ammunition on the morrow This crisis was so totally unexpected that "Hub" forgot to roar He sank back Uwn the pillows and turned pale through Jits freckles. After he had recovered from the shock n bit befell Inn brown study The resuil was a smile, which would have donecicdlt loallist class lleud "Hub" took his bread and milk nnd his sister's iccture so gently that her heart relented, and when she retired for thu night she bail decided sho would not ask that personal favor. "Hub" did not sleep. Ile had taken a imp In tho cat ly evening and was now quite wideawake mid teady for business. Ile waited until Bessie's soft brenthlugnssuicil him that she slept, then he arose and quickly dressed himself, cautiously unfas tened the front door and set out HcClcpt along In the shadows as he crossed the street to Mlddleton's olllce. For "Hub" was out with the nefarious Intent of bur glarl.lug. Ile knew of a window on the side of the olllce the catch of which was broken and wfilch could bo easily shovid j up. lie had heard Hessle say that Middle ton had been busy all the evening opening the packages of llicwnil.s I Up went the window at Ills first touch, I and in climbed the young scapegrace I The moonlight streaming In showed lilm the prize, and he fell greedily to work. Ills pockets were soon ciammed and he 1 was about to retreat, when he heaid a 1 sound that made eery tow hair on Ids head stand Upright a nolseat the window i he had left open Thu hoy slipped behind a pile of packing boxes, and icciiug out saw a inan climb in tho window It u Jim Howling! "Hub" retained bis presence-of inlndsiif flclently notlo jell Howling prow lid noiselessly about, trv lug desks and safe and bestowing wills pered curses upon the huge pllo of file works lu the remote corner. "Ile Is a thief, too," thought "Hub." with a stuldci twinge of conscience, nn I quietly and with tiemhllng lingers testored his ill gotten gains to a bo beside him. Suddenly there was a light, quirk step outside, and the click of a key in thu olllce door Howling rushed past the trembling lad Into the rear room, whore thu huge vault was situated The outside door opened and Mlddletou entered He struck a match, lighted the gas, took olT his hat and ran Ills lingers through his thick brown hair "I couldn't go to bed," he said aloud "for I knew I shouldn't sleep. What am I going to do? It's a pu..lu. I say over anil over, 'the honor of tho Mlddletons.' but It's empty of sound and doesn't console me. Well, I believe I'll look over those books tonight I must do something to tire uijself out and make me sleep." Ile lighted a cigar anil started toward the door which led to the vault. Suddenly he stopped. "What in heaven's name am I about? Going to thu vault with a lighted cigar' I'm afraid I did a careless thing in telling them to store that giant powder in the vault. Oh. well, ltdoii't matter; the mag a.lne will be repaired Ilia few days, and then, If I haven't blown myself up In the meantime-through my carelessness. I will have It leinovcd at once." Speaking thus, Mlddletou passed by the boy hidden there, who put out a tleinbling hand to warn him. but he didn't see the weak assistance. "Hub" heard the combination click and presently Mhhlleton came back with the books In his anus. He laid them on the desk, opened them and set to work. "Hub" was wondering how hu was going to get out of thu scrape, when there slid denly stole by lilm with the stealthy tread of a wolf a man with a face so terrible, so awful In Its hatred that the boy with dilll culty repressed a scream, I here was a red glare liefoie "Hull's" frightened ejes through which he saw Howling deal Mid illeton a powerful blow on thu back of Un bend with something bright and shining. Mlddletou dropped like a log to thu floor Howling snarled over him. "My turn now, jou high and mighty dog. I've got je now and I'll pay my debt right here, and you shall have your com pound inteiest. I won't leave a trace of ye. I'll blow you and your olllcu to hell Oh, I'll give them some Fourth of Julj llreworks they'll never forget." "Hub" could neer tell how he liven through the next few minutes. With eyes fairly starting from ills head hu watched Howling enter the vault and knock tin head out of a barrel of powder and insert thuund of a fuse. At last all was ready, the fuse lighted. Howling turned out thu gas nnd crept through tho window Ho was gone I Out from behind thu boxes burst the frightened boy who had completely lost ills wits. He bent over Mlddletou, mid with his weak arinsstrovolo lift him. Ills first thought was to drag Mlddletou from the building. As well try .to movo the vault yonder. Then through thu moonlight across the square, gasping, sobbing, stumbling, fled thu boy. Through thu open door, Into liN sister's room, upon her bed hu Hung him self. "Hessl Hess"' hohhileked in iigouj Two minutes later, barefooted, her long hair streaming over her shoulders, she knelt U'shlothemau she loved. She thrust her girlish arms beneath Mlddletou and iifted him to her breast asa mother gatheis iier child. "The bell, 'Hub,' thu belli" sho stum mcred, "Hub" caught tho rope, and out upon tho soft midsummer night rang the awful clamor. The bell fairly shrieked Its fright fill tidings "Murder! murder!" leaped from its iron throat. And when thu half dressed miners came hurrying from their homes with terror stricken facts they saw a strange sight. jmu . STANCHING TIIK (HOOP ON HIS HCAIl. I I hr'J"a i V. V-S . . . VJL. Their master lay before his olllce door on the ground. hss Clayton was stanching tho blood nu bis head, while a small snub iiommI nnd freckled boy was crying hysier Icnlly beside her A few word told the story. "You lifted Mr. Mlddletou" ci led one man. "Yes," whimpered "Hub," "she did I duuuiiiiow she did It, but sho did." "Hut tho fuse," cried another. "For God's sake, somebody cut I ho fusel" Hess lifted her haggard face. "Oh, I cut It," she said simply, "before I brought him out " Toui Mlddletou did not die. A splendid constitution, unimpaired by excesses, brought lilm through n dangerous illness Flo emtio back to thu olllce two months later, pale, hollow eyed and thin. Ills people llockcd about lilm, and many were thu blessings showered upon him both by rough miners and weeping women. After Mlddletou bad told the crowd that the long delaj vd Fourth of Julyeclobra t ton should occur thu next evening, and tho hanpv throng had dispersed, hu turned toward iJcss Clajtou, who stood at her post smiling, bill with tears In her eyes. "Come here, Hessle," ho said gently, holding out his thlu hand. Ile had never called her Hessle before. Sho went slowly and timidly to hlin llediew her to lilm, and putting both aims about her said. "My btave Utile girl." She trembled and blushed. "Mj darling'" ho said passionately. "No, no," she eiled, stalling away from him, "jou must not speak like that I tntist not hear jou." "Yes, jou must," he retorted, with his old lite. "1 love loli-I think 1 have loved you a long time Hess jou must bo my wife." "Hut Miss Vnncoucr?" said tho gill gent Ij . "Miss Vancouver made a great mistake when she aciepted me," said .Mlddletou gravely. "She has icullcd her mistake. Oh, Hess, mj (hilling, thank Cod, thelitis nothing between us and happiness," A few moments later he raised her blushing face from his shoulder and said, "Now, deal est, when shall wo ho mauled?" "I think, Tom," she said demurely, "t hat I should like to bo married next l'ouitli of July " "Why not this Fourth," bo urged. "This FiMiith Is past," sho answeied. "Hut Its substitute Is at hand," he cried. "Hess, jou must many inu now. I cannot wait a j ear." And so it came to pass even as hu had spoken, and the miners anil their families hud an unexpected feature In their cele biation, for they weiu all invited up to thublg hotisu todrluk thu health of their master and his hiidc. Kim H Si.ksions TutTlltt. At l.llal. Ilciieath our ollUu Isiy theru lies A cracker nil ablaze. And soon liu'll get, to his siirprlo. That long expected raise, To Impiinc the Light. The light given byacoaloll lamp can be giratly Improved by soaking thu wick in vinegar before using It, and even by re viving an old wick bj tin; saiiiii process. Of coiiisu the vinegar must be dried oil' bo fore the wick Is used, or It will ho difficult to get a light at all, hut with this simple precaution a great Improvement in the c unhorlr Mined n t he oil r " f v Ir as sindlarHlHi'.'rH toward making a wick smoke, while vln- egar has a contrary tendency, and heiicu Is inoru desirable lu every way. bt. l,ouls Globe Democrat. Her I'lrst lllstliiftliiii. One of thu most devoted and learned of woman savants Is Miss Ormerod, of Kug land, who achieved somewhat unique dis tinction a few years ago by biting thu tall of a llvu trilon, or crested newt, to study thu ellvcts of the acrid secretion thu ani mal gives out when angry. Thesu were decidedly dlsagreeablu in experience, caus ing an irritation of thu throat, a foaming of thu mouth, with spasmsaud convulsions lasting several hours. Miss Ormerod lias since achieved a high scientific reputation, Involving, no doubt, many other instances of self sacrifice on her part. London Letter. I'pllupb. An incorrigible ofllceseuker died a U'r years ago and his friends asked a well known journalist for an epitaph for Ills tombstone. , Tim journalist suggested thu following, which was not, however, adopted IIKIIK I. IKS JOHN JONKS IK TIIK ONLY l'f.ACK KOIt WHICH HE NKVKK AI'l'MI'lt. Youth's Companion. Tim Varntlon lllnente. nrnther Chump Our pastor's health seems to he falling rapidly. IIu has a hacking cough, and his eyes havu an anx ious, yearning look. What Is your diag nosis of his complaint, doctor Dr. Slade (a philosopher) In confidence, Brother Chump, I am pretty well satisfied that it is tint hanky-panky. If not checked very shoitly it will lie followed by a vaca tion. Life. She Wits. "You astonish me, madam! I never should have suspected you of being a smoker of clgaiettes!" "I iicwr touch them, doctor." "Why, I undeistood jou a moment ago to sav jou weru a victim of thu cigarette habit'" "I am. Mj husband smokes them." Chicago Tribune. I'iiIitiiiiI AtU It a-. Host-nberg Senior Simon, my boy, jou are now going to sut up In biisiuesson jour own account, anil I wlshtoghu you a bit of practical advhe. Simon-Well, father? Rosenberg Senior When customers don't see what they want, teacli them to want what they see! Ilumoristischu Blat ter. KpUlnt'l. Miss Washington What does "8 k" In dat 'gagemuut ring you done guv mu ine'in' Mr. JelTerson (loftily) lilt means datdu gold am eight time as jailer as carrots. Juweler's Weekly. (ttliiK n S)iipl. Klngley What on earth did j'ou corner thu leather market today for' Hingo My wifu is going away for the summer soon ami I wanted it for truuU straps Harper' Hazar Nut KiiiiukIi Iturki. Friend Trouble with your wife, ehf What rockilul your domestic ship spilt on? Spluks-Noiic at all lladu t rocks 'enough that was the dlllkiilty New . Yoik Weekly vVW s!tfisi. rfSS OUT THIS OUT Have just unloaded a carload of Leonard -: Prices lower than ever. Come and see us. RucIpc & t Lincoln, Neb An Old School in Ninth Year. 25 Departments. 30 Teachers ' "s-nutlful, health v location, m.-ignlllcent buildings fine equipments superior nceo-n I "Mlnns .;t....B laculU. comprehensive cuirleulu.n, thorough work, high moral and i ''1'" lulluenccs and low expense make this The SCHOOL FOR THE MASSES A practical educ.itlon without needless Western You can Enter any Time This groat school is located In Hawthorne, three miles southwest of the pot o(H;c an will he connected by electric street car line. YOL'll CAR FARB I'Atl. In emits that all may sec our many advantages In the wa ot buildings, equipments faculty, etc we will pav your car fare" from your home to Lincoln provided you are present on the opening day of the fall term, Sept. iSJ. Write for particulars. Heinl iiaiiie and addrifwes of J'oiiiik people mil wu will st'iid you chuloi of fine. 11-limli ru er. t lerinoiiietertir vuar's hiiImtIiiIIiui to fill,',, l ..", lll'H.IUl.Tt .'. u... n UKiUKd anu oi iter !.A US, , rl(i;i.. Atlil Idruss WESTERN NORMAL COLLEGE, Lincoln, Upeolf) ploral Cut Flowers at all Seasons of the Year KrtK WKIllltNllS, Kl'.N'KMALS ASH 1'AKTIKS. A full line of Oreonhnine and lleddlux Plant. Wend for free I'rlool.li l'H order promptly tilled. Telephone 31 1, W. 1 SHWTEIt 6 Palorr Suits, Chamber Suits, Dining Room Suits, at 1118 to 1122 N St. Refrigerators Morris Co. a New Location. w.istu of time or money is furnished by the Normal College and Choose Tour Studies our luustruteii uiliieutiouai iiioillliiy. UAi.v- tl'JI. .M. CIlOA.s., Pres. or Neb. W. .1. KINSI.KV. beeretary and Trcamircr. Qoijseruatory C0. I'oruer 17th and I) Street L.IN.QOL.IS,