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.
