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About Plattsmouth weekly herald. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1882-1892 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1891)
AVENGED AT LAST; !0r, a World-Wide Chase. A STORY OF RETRIBUTION. II V WAnASII." ICOPYHI&riT. 1830-1 CIIAPTEH X. "Kon tat tcrt. Nun eat rert." sang Percy JIovcl, in a rich voice, full of pathos. Certainly ho see mod to fool what ho anjf, and accompanied himself on tho iplano in a perfect manner. As tho last notes died away ho turned -round on .tho stool and noticed that ho was not alone. "Uow long slnco you returned. Armi da? I did not hoar you enter the room." "JSo, you woro too much engrossed in your son;? to notico any thing else. Hut how is it, Percy, that you always sing isuch sad songs? One would lmajlno that there was sorao terrible grief gnaw n.J at your heart, when you sing tboso songs you do It with what seems to bo o much real feeling." "If 1 do 1 can not five a moro than ordinary reason for it. I passionately 2ovo music, and my wholo soul responds whon 1 commence to sing." replied iurcy. continuing, ho asked: 'avo you been to tho hospital again TO-Cay?" "Yes, I was tbero for over an hour. aw tnat unfortunate young man's raoth ,r. a French lady.whom I should imagine was at ono timo in circumstances far superior to her present condition. Even !hcr son seems to possess a bearing rwhlch is hardly compatiblo with their urrounding3." Did you learn any moro of their his tory?" asked Porcy. '"Nothing; but I promised to call socio time at tho store and havo a long talk ,ith Mrs. Hregy." ' Porcy was silent a fow moments; but ho resumed: "Armida, I havo been thinking that I would like to havo a talk to that lady and her son como timo. In fact, I havo iinado up my mind to do it. Their ;strango connection with Mr. Emerick ;puzzlcs me and my curiosity impels rno to learn more. . "What is your raotiv9. Porcy?" "ou will pardon my abruptness. Armida, but for tho present it must re .main a secret; in duo timo you shall know all. "No doubt you havo excellent rea sons, " answered tho unsophisticated - jjjirl. Changing tbo subject, Percy asked if sho could tell whether Mr. Wilcox was in tho house or not. Armida replied: "I saw him a moinont aso in tbo library." "Then if you will pleaso excuso mo, I will go to him. as I wish to speak with :bim on his business." With thoso words .Percy left the room. Ho . bad not gono moro than a moment when Mrs. Dnl.-xra entered tho room 'whera Armida cat alone.. "Well, my dear, and how did yoa find tho patient to-day?" "So was very much improved, mam ma, and will leave the hospital in a few days." 'Armida, wo mnst try to do something for that voung mac; rc, is noinguu tnai ho should suffer so much and not bo recompensed.' "But they will not take money; what then can we ub?" said tho girl. "We must put our Loads together r.r,d devise ecco means. By the by, my dear, wa.3 that Percy who went across to the library a moment ago?" "Yes, ho has jrone to talk business with Mr.' Wilcox." "Then I must go too, fori also havo Bono businos3 rnattors to attend to tbi3 .morning, and I need Percy's assist- aneff." With theso words tbo widow rose to go. "As usual," said Armida, with ty pout. "I" am alway3 left out a p ret in the cold. Why can not I know something :of what transpires in these conclaves you arc always having?" "It is hardly necessary that you should Tx troubled with any business matters," said Mrs. Dedaro as she left tho rcorn. Shortly afterward Armida ordered tho carriage and went down-town todosomo 'shopping. For tho past few months they had been living in a handsomely furnished house near Gramercy Parle. lArmida and her mother passed their timo very much in each ether's company, and tho days went by pleasantly enough, except for tbo fact that thoughts of great and listing trouble continually wurred 'to Mrs. Delaro's mind, often making Lcr' sad even in her daughter's " company. Mr. Wilcox and Percy found plenty to occupy their timo attending to various 'bi.iness mattei-3 when they were not t trying to get a fresh clew to Mario Delaro's murderer. This morning thero was to bo a con sultation of tho three interested persons regarding tho recent developments in connection with the Brcgy's. "If Mr. Emerick is Alphonse Brogy and this woman's husband, then ho cer tainly can not be Velasquez," argued 2Ir. Wilcox. "Yet," said Percy, "there may be other information to come which will change our opinion. For my part I am ,now too thoroughly interested in know ing who this Mr. Emerick really is to let the matter drop. Hia actions from first to last during the brief time that we saw him were of a character which ,' (rave me dark suspicions, and if thero i3 way to find out who he really is I am going to do it. I am afraid I do not dare to even hope he is the man wo want, but I have become so Imbued with tho (detective spirit that I am anxious to satisfy y own curiosity." "I would suggest," said Mrs. Delaro, wisely, "that we send for Eugene Bregy and his mother and ask thorn to tell us mil they know. Mrs. Bregy will doubt ; Jess give us their history and Eugone may have found oat something, the knowledge of which will be worth pos sessing. " "That is undoubtedly tno proper courso to pursue," remarked Mr. cox. Wil- I eit'-cp at nign . wit. Con -na mao r-m-crick's imago before me, and something tolls mo bo is biding from us or from aomo ono." It wan several dajs before Eugene was able to como up to tho lelr.ros' house. The neighbors Etarcd hard enough whn they saw him and his mother seat tlKai- boivcs in trie stylist victoria which vas drawn up in front of tue storo door to convey thorn to the temporary homo of our California friends, and somo quoor remarks wero passed about tho airs which tho French woman gavo herself. Upon reaching tho housa they wero at onco ushered into tho library and tbo consultation immediately commenced. Mrs. Bregy had very little to tell con cerning her history prior to tho timo I her husband deserted her. fcbo related tho incident of mooting him at a bail to which sho bad been invited by somo friends from her own country, and toll tho story of their brief courtship and fin ally of her marriago to Alpbonso Bregy. But she cither could notor would not tell what her husband's business was. She said that for the first six lnoilhs of their married life ho was a loving husband and treated her kindly, but af torwardi ho bogan to go away for a week or two at a timo and grew cold towards hor. Finally, about a month after Eugene was born, he went away and never ajrain roturnod. After that timo sbo never heard of her husband but onco and that was from a French plasterer, who had been out to Denver. This man asEcrtcd positively that ho saw Alpbonso Bregy in that city, but that ho could not get to speak to him. "That," con cluded Mrs. Bregy, "was all I ever heard of him, and 1 had given up all hopo of ever seeing him again until I met him a few months ago at tho dock in Brooklyn." "Was thero any thing peculiar in hi3 general bearing?" asked Percy. "Yes, ho stooped a little, but showed it moro especially when he grew tired of wearing his shoulder-brace3 and woula .-..t.. ihem for a day or two," answered Mrs. Bregy. Then Mr. Wilcox asked what steps they had taken to discover who Mr. Emerick really was since ho wont away on tho "Trinidad." "All that has been dono I did my self," said Eugene. "I went down to tho ofTico of Emerick & Co. on Pearl strdot and tho clerk .told mo that Mr. Emerick wa3 in Buenos Ayres." Eu gene then recounted what ho had heard whilo tho door was closing. After this very littio information of importanco was gained from tho mother and son, but beforo they left, after being entertained during tho evening by Mrs. Delaro and Armida, Mr. Wilcox said to Mrs. Bregy: "Inasmuch as tho carelessness of our coachman was tho cause oT your son's accident, and as you persistently refuso any recompense, you must allow mo to do ono thing." "What is that, Mr. Wilcox?" said Mrs. Bregy in a pleasant manner. "You must permit us to make some inquiries regarding this Mr. Emerick and givo us permission to find out all wo can about him." ho'roplicd. In a grateful tone tho woman replied: "Any information you may bo able to givo to me, no mat tor how scanty in do tail, will' bo gladly recoived and acknowledged." As tho mother and son wero bcisg driven home, Mr. AVilcox and Percy sat in the library still talking about Em erick. - "Thero is a mystery attached to all of it," said Percy to Mr. Wilcox. "If you could havo only seen tbo fellow Emer ick, it might havo cleared up doubts, but as tho matter now stands we can do nothing but speculate." "Very true, but if for no other reason than to oblige this poor woman wo must now f ollow him up. Do you suppose there is any possibility of Emerick returning to New York in the near future?' "That is something that mystifies mc," cald Percy. "Why should ti. pre sumably reputable merchant havo rea son for keeping bis whereabouts a se cret? Eugene Bregy called at tho office "TKSIT CA?T VOT BU DOME TOO SOOrr, rr:GED PEECY. and was told that Mr. Emerick was in South America. I called to make tho samo inquiry and was told ho was in Europe. Probably neither of their re plies was the truth." "Still it will not bo hard to determine on tho most favorable chances," said Mr. Wilcox. "The man has no business in Europe, and. a3 wo know, ho ha3 an of fice In Buenos Ayres. The latter would undoubtedly be the moot likely placo to find him." "Then what do you propose to do?" said Percy. "That is for us now to decide," re plied the old man. "I will make a proposition," 6iid Fercy "that I go alono to BuonQ3 Ayres and find out just whero this man is, who he is and what lie is doing. My further actions must depend to a large extent on what I discover." "Good," said Mr. Wilcox, "and in the meantime, I will keep a sharp lookout to see if.he returns to New York." "But what excuse shall I have for goinr?" asked Percy. "It will not do to let too many into the cecret." ''You can soon frame an excuse. I Ii&ta. an -vein "know. & lurire lntorant in & beef extract company down there and that will furaul a plausible reasvo for Mm m m men tx aa xgretiU upcnT qucruM Percy. "Yes, and you can go just as soon as you please." "As a Grat step, I will go down-town in tho morning and find out tho Lest and quickest means of reaching Bunoa i Ayrcs. Steamers sail so seldom for tboso South American ports that it may bo somo weeks beforo I can start. By noon tho next day Percy had mado arrangements to sail on tho Ama zon leaving in four days' timo for Bio do Janeiro, whonco lie would have to ro cmbark for tho River Plata. That namo night Percy and Armida wero en gaged to go to a ball at tho Metropoli tan Opera-House. They had not boon drawn far into the maelstrom of Now York society but their life was not without somo little pleasures of tho kind and this was one vt tho exceptional occasions. This would probably bo Percy's last oppor tunity of escorting Armida anywhere during that season. Tho ball passed off pleasantly, but sevoral times during tho cvoning Percy felt that tho attentions which Armida was receiving from a crowd of admirers worriod hira consid erably and ho began to wondor whether it would be safe to leavo her among such a crowd of cligiblo mon. During his absonco sho might possibly meet ono wbo would capturo her frco hoart. In that caso sho would novcr know that ho had loved her unless ho told her now. Many times during tho evening Ar mida found him sitting in a quiot placo apparently lost in thought and onco sho accusod him of being exceedingly dull. But Percy bad mado up his mind what ho would do, and on tho way borne from tho ball ho began to put test questions to Armida. Tho result of her replies 3E NOTICED PEKCY A!iT ARMIDA EAPXEST COXVEKSATIOX. was that as they each sat in tho parlor warming their toes over a register pre vious to retiring, Percy declared bis passion. It was only tho old story told perhaps with slight variation, but be foro ho had finished Mr. Wilcox, who had heard thoir voices, camo down to havo a parting word. It was past his usual time for retiring, but he bad waited to bco tho pleasure-sookers re turn as he know they would not remain very late ana oven now it was only a littio after one o'clock. Ho camo down stairs almost noiselessly and as be reached the door of tho parlor ho noticed Percy bending very closely ovor Armida engaged in earnest conversation. Tho old follow wa3 angry with himself for interrupting so interesting a scene, but having ent?-o.l bo could not at once withdraw. "Ah," ho thought, "this is encouraging." Armida soon retired and left Mr. Wiicorc and Percy to have a talk beforo going to bed. Percy did not tell Mr. Wilcox what happened and a desultory conversation iclativo to Percy's de parture was indulged in and they sepa rated for tho night. "Alas. 1-.OT7 easily things jro wro3- A worJ left out or a sigh too lea- Tlic bright sua ch:isctl away by the rain And lifo ii nvcr tho saoo r.galn." How near, that night, Percy was to winning Armida for his wife will never bo known. That was his List chance to bo alono with her for many a long day a chance spoiled quite inadvertently by the last man who would have wished to do such a thing. Two days later ho wes on his way to South America. CHAPTER XX. When Percy arrived at Buenos Ayres ho did not rush with precipitate haste to Emerick & Co.'s office; h3 took up his quarters at a quiet English hotel and then went systematically to work to find out what he could about Mr. Emerick. Thero was littio to be loarncJ, however, for all ho could hes.r was that . Emerick lived in quiet se clusion in a handsome modern resi dence lying to the north of tho town, which br.cl been previously occupied by IIr. Howe, his partner, and i'aiuily. When not at business Emerick was re ported to sper.d his timo at this house, whero uo woula sometimes entertain a few friends, particularly some Spanish gentlemen, who, strancjo to say, wero not admitted to the better society of Buenos Ayres. . To theso guests of Emerick's tho houses of the civil au thorities wero not open, neither did any of tho numerous wealthy foreign residents invite them to their tables. Yet it was no uncommon thing for them to spend the evening aud greater part of the night at Mr. Emerick's house, and ono of tho servants had onco told a confidential friend outside that their amusement consisted almost en tirely of playing cards, drinking wine and smoking. Yet Mr. Emerick was exceedingly strict in his attendance to business and was regularly seen at his desk in the odea of Emerick & Co., in a largo four-story modern business block situated near to the custom house. Only very seldom did the mer chant appear at the theater. Occasion ally he could bo seen at an Anglo German concert hall, but not often, and then he was usually alone and would drink his wine in a little private box and so xi uietly horse, M.h&t nignt srtur ni3 arrrvai atxsuonos Ayres, our friend LovaI casually made up his mind to drop iuW the place for an hour. lie was quite leao and, alt- tiny at a aids table partially hidden by effort see all that was going on yet not attract particular attention to him so If. II o had been scatod there about an hour wljen, happening to lok up, hi eyes rested upom tbo familiar form of j Mr. Emerick utanding up in one of tho ! boxes, llo was just arranging his chair so that ho could sit behind tho curtains and not be visible to Uio audienco but Lovcl noticed that ho was alone and h-d a siarrlo bottlo of wino beforo him. Percy failed to 'get a glimpso of him again during all that evoning, but he waited patiently and, after the perform ance, ho still lingered hoping to soo tbo merchant pas a out. IIo bad to wait somo timo and in parts of tbo ball many of tho lighta wero being extinguished beforo Mr. Emerick arose to leave. When bo did ho moved about as though afraid of being soen. It was hardly tbo place whero ono would ex poet to soo a person of hit position and that was prob ably his re auu for bis cautious move ments. Percy followed bis mm rather closely as ho went towardi tbo stage door whero ho met a lady just coming out. Together they walked across tho Plaza and found aconveyanco which was evidently waiting for them, for, without a word to tho driver, they took their soats and were driven away. "The moro 1 sco of this man the mora of a mystery does bo becomo to mo; but I would liko to got a good look at him face to faco once," soliloquized Lovcl. Tho opportunity was not lonrr de layed, for a few days later Percy was seated on ono of tho marblo seats in tho sbado of tho Paradiso trees on iho Plaza Victoria when who should approach but Mr. Emerick. Percy was reading a portion of a Loadon paper which had arrived on tho last mail, and was handed to him by an English army ofllcer at tho hotel. He hardly know how to ac cost Emerick, but resorted to very sim ple tactics by asking him in tho free and easy manner which ho had acquired in America, if ho would permit hira to tako a light from his cigar. Mr. Emer ick at onco drew out a gold match box and supplied tho want. "You are a stranger hero?" ho said to Fcrcy. "I am, indeed. I arrived boro only a fow days since," replied Percy, at tho samo time feeling devoutly thankful that Mr. Emerick had not recognized him. It was so dark on tho piazza at Long Branch, tho only place whero Mr. Emerick had met Percy, that it wn3 a safe risk to take, and it had apparently passed safely. "Have you any acquaintance! in Buo nos Ayres?" was Mr. Emerick's first question. "None, whatever," answered Percy; "I am hero to see tho country, and do not intend to remain long." "Whero aro yoif staying, may I ask?" "At tho Ilotel Victoria," was tho re ply. "Then yoa are an Englishman, I pro sumo.'" "Yes," answered Percy without allud ing to his long residenco in America. "if you ever find tho timo hanging heavily on your hands whilo here," said Mr. Emerick, "drop in at my office and soo me." Saying which ho drew out a card and handed it to Percy. "May I inquire your namo?" he asked as ho handed tho card. "Byron Iluntly," responded Percy. "I am sorry I havo no carl." This was the assumod namo under which Percy had registered at tho hotel and tho ono by which he was traveling. A few day3 later ho called at Mr. Emerick's offico and look lunch with that gentleman. IIo also accepted an invitation to meet a few gentlemen at Mr. Emerick's house that evening. Nothing could havo suited Percy bet tor than this. He went and stayed late. Poker was tho order of the hour, and Perry loft a winner to such an extent that ho felt in honor bound to accept the invitation pressed upon him to at tend again a week later and givo tho losers an opportunity to recoup their losses. An intelligent Spaniard of about Mr. H.mcric:c a own ago accompanied t'ercy part of tho way homo and gcw very confidential. Mr. Iluntly," he said, "let mo cau tion you to bo very careful when yen go to Mr. iiKiorick s next week. incre wero ouo or two gentlemen in Uiat party to-night who are adepts at handling tho cards and I havo just cause for bein,? suspicious even of Mr. Emerick him self. It is not perhaps tho essence of honor to sneak ill of one's host behind his back. You arc a stranger and may havo plenty of money which you can afford to lose, but my suspicions that the play at Mr. Emerick's house wac not always fair, wero confirmed to-nigh; and 1 givo you warning. Bo caroful." HE SIUCW OUT A CARD ASX HANDED XT TO PEECY. These words set P crcy thinking, but they of course did not deter him from going to Mr. Emerick's on that night week. During tho time whieh intervened he took a trip up the Rio de la Plata to one of the river ports, and returned on the morning of bis appointment for tho card party. When evening came Mr. Emerjck called for him a-t the hotel and together they went out to the merchant's house. Percy was left to himself for about half an hour before dinner, and he occupied of the time wita his thoughts. He i that this man Emerick wai the man bo was searching for. yet he could not give up tho idea that Emerick was in hiding for Mmo purpose of his own. Tberowas a6light resemblance to Velasquez, as ho remembered that rascal, but so long a timo had elapsed since ho used to watch the high play at tho gaming house In San Francisco that it would be danger o'is to accu ;e this man of being Mario Delaro's tnurieror and then discover that ho was altogether mistakes. Be- sides. In regard to finding out whether bo was tho woman Brcgy's husband or not. ho possessed no clew of any kind on which to work. Tho early part of tbo evening passed pleasantly enough. Porcy continued to win and so did tho pen tic man who had given Lim tho warning on the last occa sion of their playing. But after mid night tbo turn cama In an incredibly short 8 pace of tine tho Spaniard's pile was reduced to Almost nothing, and Porcy alw played a losing game. Allot a sudden bo detected tho unpleasant fact that they were being cheated. When bo mado thin discovery bo did not besitato a moment, but throw down bis cards and refused to play. The Span iards and Mr. Emerick stared at him in amazemont and a-ked tho reason. lean ing back in his chair and quietly light ing a cigar, ho said, as ho puffed away without tho slightest regard to conse quences: "Because this game Is crook ed." Every man except tho Spaniard who had warned Porcy jumped to his feet. "Sir," they said in unison, "what do you mean by this insult?" "lYeeiscly what I said." the cool and undaunted Englishman replied. "Such insults may pass unnoticed in England." said Mr. Emorick, with as sumed haughtiness, "but hero things aro different Tho insult which you havo offered us can only bo wiped out in ono way." "On tho modern French plan or in tho stern reality?" asked Percy, who could not resist tbo temptation to burl a sneer at the man for whom ho had conceived such a strong disliko. "Wo bavs but ono plan here," Gpoko up a tall, rauilached Spaniard, "and that is to fight to tho death." "Undoubtedly a very good one, too, but do you propose that I should fight each of you singly, will you all pounco upon mo a t once, or do I take my choico of opponent?"' was Percy's reply, mado as easily aa though ho waa engineering hi.s way on an unfamiliar street. The Spaniards at encj commenced speaking rapidly to each other, at tho samo timo casting rngry glances at Ptrcy, but ho never flinched. Duriug this conversation Percy's thought chased each othT through bis mind with lightning swiftness. If ho fought, his opponent must bo this man Emerick. And what if Emerick should prove tho better man? In that caso it might ncvor bo learned who bo really was. Ho Telt that bo had mado a mis tako in offending theso hot-headed Spaniards. True, tbero wa3 ono who would probably render him assistance, but even ho could not bo relied upon. Percy had no fuitli at all in mon of their nationality. In a few moments tbey ceased their confab, and Mr.. Emorick, acting as spokesman, said: "Wo havo decided that you must either narco ono of us gentlemen to fight with weapons which you shall bo allowed to ehooso or prepare to ba treated as a coward and a liar." "It i hardly per-siblo that I shall chooao the latter," answered Percy. "It is noli exactly natural to an English man to b:ck cut when thero is any fight ing in prospect, so I accept your propo sition. This gentleman cn my right will perhaps ac. :-:; my second." Tho man alludsd to was tho ono ho k.id walked homo with a week before, r.r.d he iirocLl to r.ct for Percy. Then Lovol pondered for a moment before ho proceeded to r.air.o hi;; opponent. Each of the Spaniards r.too.l eying him as much r.3 to say: "Oh, plen.se take me; I would li to to c-pi II a littio of your cold English blood on tho fertilo plain:, of this Republic; only givo mo tho chance." The coolest of tho lot was Mr. Emerick, who seemed as unconcerned and indif ferent a:j Lovcl himself. But Percy was not considering whom he should fight; on that point his mind was fully mado up. He had other thoughts in his mind. Ho cceined, as it wore, in a trap. IIo know full well that if bo further incur red tho anger of theso men ho might never leave the place alive, and hi3 body might float out on tho next tide to the oecr.n. It was a bold break ho was e.'jout to i.iake, but it meant a great deal. If ho was to bo killed, he wanted to know who killed him. If ho killed, ho proposed to know whom ho had killed. He stood erect, his enemies be ing on one sidotho table and himself on the other. Looking Mr. Emerick straight in the eyes ho riveted that gentleman's gaze in such a manner that thero was no es cape. Then ia a clear, calm voice ho uttered the word3: "Lton Vdatipmz, I will fight you." But if Mr. Emerick was indeed Ve lasquez, Percy's words took no apparent effect, for not a muscle of the mer chant's face moved as he replied: "There is no one of that name in the room; to whom do you refer?" "To you," answered Percy; "hut I will fight you under any name you wish." "I fail to understand why you should address me by any name other than my own, but our seconds will make arrange ments, and I am prepared at any time to meet you," was the reply. The tall Spaniard and the gentleman whom Percy had named as his second then held a cousultation and soon de cided that the meeting should take place at daylight in a secluded spot to the northwest of the town. Percy chose to fight with rapiers, as he was tolerably skillful in the use of those weapons and felt more certain of getting fair play. All arrangements being completed, Percy and his second at occe made their departure. There was still time for a few hours' sleep, and Percy decided to take adyantage of it. But no sooner bad Percy and his fTiend departed than the tall Spaniard D1DNT KEEP A D1 RECTOR YV A Drng-giaS, YhM Stor A4Joli jKffgmr Utj 0da Houm, II aa N ricwU. ory, pleats" said I, the othr day, mm cuttrin? n drng store on Sixth avennw near Nineteenth Ftreot. Tho iub behind the eountor looked up with a v.iry expression and quietly nhook his head. "What's Kio matter," I asked. "Dont yon keep u directory here?" Again the liiad hhako was r 'ieatX, aid thou 1 jught for im i . '! mation. 'You boo." said the druggi.st, "we are ri;ht i:i among all these 1 1;-; c djy gotda Ftores, and as tii"irt:ustoruer.j ure montly ladies of moro or l::-s h.-isuiv, o::r pl iew would bo fidrly ov rrun witii women all day long if wo had 1 1 dirwtury there in tl window. "Yen," he went on, "wo did keep- n li-r-ru ry om, but it got to b Mich n:i in- t )" !1 nuisance that we either h:id U f t"j it vr clo.so out our li V-." s.;id tho (In:- ;;.-wiiTj-.rri liko to go into n l;i '.: over tho iinrctory. but iner't. I lx- t, "that some drng ttore and Not, mi. id yon. L-e a.lvi ntsr i: o i.;iL-y i-j.iwj . i. ii in iiiiu urn. iuij c- i'or., but n:::ivly from pure cu:;wd Alayfco th;;v think it looks bnsj- r.efs;i;:e. And then, you know, a drug hlorn is ;i grou,l pliurt of rendezvous for th: Iau;es who do ahopping, si'id htudy in; over a. directory hcliw tuum to kill ti'iv; if tho other party is late. 'You havo no idea." h vent on, "of the number of voniuii who ttop in hen every Zuy and ask foolish questions. Why, rometimea when I tell them wo don't keep a directory tly n.sk me whether 1 know whero fio-'aiul-so lives, and ;i thoupaud and vae questions bo iM'-s that might be answered i. the di rectory, but which th'y never stop to eonsi l'T. And then the.-o womn come in 'ifiv and want to leavo their bundle while they do their i.h'ipping chi'V.vhere. T'.u y hold regular conversation lx-es, and interfere with cui'tomers jwiwing in and o;:t, ;uid fairly worry my lift out with their petty questions and anno; 'ancca. 'Stunp;!, did you say, mis.-?" he add sd, turning to adJres :i yourg lady who u:id j'lHt entered. "No, miss: wo do not kop tnirips. "I'd have t' keep n. brunch postoluco up here," wiid tho druggist ;is the young udy went out, nnd then he turned to :v::.io reore or moro of ladies who were waiting to receive attention. New York IKiald. Tlic Vino of IdlrnciiK. Ii in orcoedingly difficult to mider .t:ind the cause of tins vice, or of its re ported increase, but we incline to be lieve that whilo it is in a few n sort of diseust. it is in the. majority nothing but a low form of selfhhucKS, curable only by punishment, whether the natural punh-h.ment of starvation or an artificial one. Tlio man hates tho eelf Fappies?ion involved in work just as a savage does, but hecan suppress birnseif if l.e chooses, and Livaria.LIy does choose, if for any reason ' he p;isses under the terrible though .".voidabk; discipline of a convict ';:i The compulsion which usually t;J':j ui o-i'the idle kikes the form of bad food, Lul lodging and want of tobacco, and it is not sirfilcient. oi'.ch wants aro nli horrible things, but they :.rc none of tbeia go horrible aa ?t;:ay work, which pre:r;cs o?d tortures .:.! .?i!ost maddens the really idle, just fiv:!i":itio:t, which ia its essence, is a multitape of small restraints, does tho . They will not put up with tho ; foi tha time iieeo.bary to teach. . :t it i.i endurable, and will ire;.': awr.y irito the desert, often a where thero ::ro onlv broad to cat t. r:::U r to uri'.ik and no shelter, but. io there ul.;o is no woik to do. Lon oo:i ;-', ger. I:W !':.!; Trarihs f r Sii!inarino Uso. J th ;uvl ru;u.i.ig feet of luhnt.-V.o lot;" wiil be sIiipiKvl rig!. it away iivn i.rv.swic:to Santiago, iukx. i.ln:i :s ;: i:cv .vticle of export iro:;i this state, ::! bid:? fair to becomo an important fe.el.or i.i iacrca-'irg Dr. ms wick's already eiiormov.:) timber at:d knrber trade. 2Ir. V. F. Cam.;gie, the rr.illionairo iron in.-:;, is largoly interested i?i an iron mine rear Santiago, ana tho order waa nah by bin company. A gitat part of the timber ia to bo used in tho construc tion of cribs to inclose a harbor near the :;i:n?riin wliicli s-.hins can load. The rest will b.! converted iato piles for building a iv..'::. al aero -a qnite a large body of A ge-itAonvm we; mf.-rrned in .such ia.iv! rr- sroid that this material would litre an ir.'.Vfii iv; 1 :'n:;th c f time r.ruhsr water, br.t cor,M not very w.-Il stand ex po.ivfo to tho air. It is almost proof aaiast the attack of worms, aud ia en- tirf-lv fr-c from Lnrrracles. And whilo it will no conhu finally su: two destroying agencies, be no doubt of it -i la.-tin: yyr.y.ii) to tue.a yet there can r at least twice- as long nnder valor a-s any other kind of wood. I3r;:n3wiek Times. The Youth's Knowledge. Is it that the average youth of today knows more geography in a minute than, his father, when ho was a schoolboy, knew in ten years, or is it that the father forgot nearly all of his knowledge im mediately after closing tho covers of his big geography? However that is, one thing ia certain that nine v-oungster out of ten who can't count so many yeara aa they have fiiigers can "floor" their whole grown up families on mountains, lakes, rivers and streams, cities, town and villages and boundaries. They not only do this persistently and uncompro misingly, hut they take particular de light in making their Bisters' caller flush to the roots of their hair with their terribly erudite qnestionF. New York Tribune. Tho JTTy of China. So far as the power of the fleet is con cerned China is the eighth in rank. But the lack of proper organization, equip ment and personnel renders her fine ves sels practically valueless for purposes of war. It aaay be said that China has no army, only collections of uniformed men and that she has no navy, bet simply ft cuiber of naval Teasel, with some C the mfcabitaate om board, New York.
