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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1909)
HE LE PANDAX BY I PARRISHBbcAfiBOEtNHELVIU CHAPTER I. In Which Begins Adventure. Some may question the truth of this narrative, yet they will scarcely be found among those who "go down to the sea in ships." To them the un fathomable mystery abiding upon the face of the great deep, the constant marvel of huge, heaving leagues of watery solitude, secret and profound, must ever remain so vast, so inex plicable, as to be beyond any lnterroi nounced as insurrectos, and proceeded to crush. It was something of a comic opera war, resulting in two or three skir mishes wherein ill-equipped and poorly officered paisanos were pitted against regular troops of the line, and, as we received from Bolivia no more sub stantial aid than vague promises, our resistance, though rather stubborn, . was soon overcome. When the final ' wild stampede for safety came, I dis covered myself, as quartermaster gen- atory of the finite the strange, the eral of the late revolutionary forces, unexpected, lurking everywhere. To j tlll in possession of a considerable others, mere landsmen, confidently -eum of money, to which no one else imagining that all phenomena can be reduced within the contracted limits of human comprehension, I need say no more than that witnesses still sur vive to corroborate the principal inci dents of this story, which I now pur pose writing In the full glow of a mem ory still dominated by the events to be recorded. It had come to be the 5th day of April, the year 1879. I, John Stephens, possessed any better claim, the un healed scar of a Chilean bullet In my shoulder, and an exceedingly nattering chance of being summarily shot by drumhead court-martial If caught. All opportunity for retreat across the Bo livian frontier was already effectively blocked, but, after several weeks of excessive hardship, skulking amid the dark recesses of Indian huts in the mountains, I succeeded in stealing un- aged 24, occupied a rather comfort- j observed into Valparaiso, feeling con- able seat upon the shaded balcony of that large, ultra-fashionable hotel at Valparaiso, which, as travelers will recall, clings to the steep hillside over look'ng both the city and harbor be neath. I was alone, not having as yet ordered the serving of the evening meal. A gayly attired military band was playing noisily in a near-by plaza, and through the intervening distance I was able to distinguish plainly the patri otic notes of national music. I even believed that a medley of shouting fident that, as a sailor, I should be able to discover in that busy seaport some early opportunity for escape. This confidence was doomed to bit ter disappointment. The Chilean au thorities were especially desirous of apprehending me, inspired doubtless by visions of the war-chest, rumored to be of far greater value than truth could Justify. They were both alert and suspicious. The American consul was obdurate to pleading, refusing peremptorily to become involved in the affair, while no war vessel floating voices, mingled with an echo of the flag of the United States, to which cheers, was borne to me on the rising . I might flee for protection, entered night wind, and I leaned above the low railing to gaze down, slightly in terested, as a regiment of Chilean in fantry regulars of the line, from their white trousers and stiff bata ta 1X' n n t awlflv naat tYiA hntal tnrna In w vj .J T l.tlj yMOV 1111 uuivi v. v 1 ill,. i the harbor. Manifestly it was impos sible for me to depart on any foreign vessel as a passenger without possess- I Ing the necessary papers properly vised, nor could I even ship as sea 1 man before the mast without running .. j w..iiercial gentlemen, inter ested in various lines of trade, and drawn into this vortex from the four corners of the globe in the wild scram ble after gold. No foreign passenger steamer bad cntcrc-d tu imibor with in the past 24 hours, and 1 had al ready studied those faces before in the vague, shadowy hope of discovering a friend. I lit another cigarro, out of sheer nervousness, and sat 6llently watching a Chinese attendant lighting the colored lanterns suspended along the balcony roof. A sudden rocket went swiftly and sizzling up from out the center of the great plaza below, and my eyes followed its swift flight into the black sky until it burst into a thousand miniature stars. When I turned once again, now half inclined to beckon a waiter and order the serving of dinner, a newly arrived company of guests bad taken posses sion of the small round table just within the open window. Three were in the party, apparently father, moth er and daughter, beyond question of high social class. Paterfamilias, sit ting In stately dignity at what might be considered the head of the board, a broad napkin spread across his right knee, was typically aristocratic, of spare figure, stern lean face, with iron gray hair, and mustaches trimmed to perfect point, his eyes, cold and emotionless, gleaming like steel points behind gold-rimmed glasses a man certainly over 60, possessing to the extreme that irritating hauteur pos slble only to an Englishman of reeog nlzed family and position. The lady occupying the seat opposite him, whom I naturally presumed to be his wife, was fleshy enough to own an ample double chin, which drooped to a vaster expanse below; most expensively gowned, her fingers laden with dia monds, and a lorgnette at her eye, through which she deliberately sur veyed the assembled company. Her evident attempt at duplicating the calm haut-ton of her emotionless com panlon was nevertheless somewhat of a counterfeit, as it failed to conceal wholly a slight twinkle of amusement curving the corners of her mouth, and a certain slight vulgar uneasiness of manner. His Ideal was evidently that of a marble statue, cold, Immaculate, his slightest movement revealing the frigidity of one born to the purple, while my lady retained some sem blance to flesh and blood, although well veneered by long social artifice. He was nature, while she had evident ly been developed by skill; yet the matron, to my thinking, proved far the more interesting specimen of the two. I must confess, however, wasting rapid time, to disappear suddenly the gantlet of numerous suspicious over the steep crest in the direction officials cpeclaily warned to appre- of the quay. Far away, toward the , bend me. In brief, though possessing right, where the long row of gray-' ample means, I was a helpless pris- etone barracks was still dimly visible oner, my only safety the keeping out against the darker background of Bur roundlng hills, was to be discerned a glimmer of steel, as squadrons of cav alry and artillery engaged in dress parade, their numerous banners flap ping against the sky. At the moment these several occurrences served to awaken the merest Interest, tending rather to bring home to memory a freshening knowledge of the despera tion of my situation. It can all be told in few words: I was persona non grata to the Chilean authorities, with apparently every pos sible avenue leading forth from the country fully and effectively barred. While personally unknown to those officials, thus far successful in mask ing my movements under the guise of a foreign gentleman of leisure tem porarily resident at a fashionable hotel, I nevertheless discovered it Im possible to break through the cordon of watchful government spies and shake the Chilean dust from off my feet. A rapid explanation will suffice. A native of Massachusetts, of excel lent family connections, together with of sight from all in authority within the narrow confines of the hotel.' Sitting there in solitude that even ing I thought It out all over again for the hun-edth time, bitterly cursing myself for a stupid fool, yet utterly unable to discover any venturesome prospect of ultimate escape. I was trapped as securely as though the hand of actual arrest was about to be placed upon my shoulder. I might, by thus continuing to skulk In the dark, delay the result, yet the final ending was Inevitable. Beyond doubt I was cornered, and the time was ripe for the eager acceptance of any reck less opportunity. Yet, desperate as I was, I could perceive none; every where arose the same blank wall of Chilean power, impassable, unassall able. Insurmountable. Saint Andrew! mine was a situation to chill the blood. The Btars began to gleam In the black void of sky overhead, those bril liant, scintillating stars of the south in their unfamiliar constellations, for ever reminding me that I was an alien and a stranger. The city itself, i jk l.E. of course we think our clothes are the best. That's natural. But we think we have good reasons for thinking so. We have been com paring the clothes of the best makers in the country every season for 30 years. We could buy any of them. Is it any wonder then that we commend our judgment by thinking the ones we did buy are the best. Now the thing to do is to let you know why we think these clothes of ours are the best. This we do if you will give us the opportunity. Come in and let us show you our "Quality line." We think your judgment will agree with ours that they are the best by every test. Price $20 to $35. Other good ones $10 to $20. el D "Where Quality Counts." mis J RAIN 3RINGS MUCH NEEDED RELIEF Settles the Dust and Nature Takes on Spring Raiment This section was treated this morning to a light shower, the first real Bpring shower of the year. The rainfall was very light being but little more than enough to lay the dust but such as it was It was very welcome as it resulted in brighten ing vegetation and causing the dust precious little attention upon either, covered leaves to be washed clean for my eyes early rested upon the and shine out resplentant in beautt younger woman seated between the two, and hence directly confronting me. I will not say I never saw a fair er picture of womanhood Just when the lovely flower becomes a blossom fully blown, yet assuredly none other ever possessed for me the same in definable fascination, the same in effable charm. Twenty-two. possibly. ful spring tints. The rainfall was ac companied by vivid lightning and some genuine spring thunder which rolled and reverberated In the heavens. By 8 o'clock the sun had broken through the clouds and the shower had passed off to the southeast, Iowa although her age was difficult to guess, being" apparently treated to a genu wlth oval face and clear, fresh skin, ine soaking as the clouds seemed the rich, red blood of perfect health crimsoning the rounded cheeks; eyes of deepest, darkest gray, the kind of prospects of furure wealth, I early de- j wrapped within the deepening folds of veloped the unrestralnable propensl ties of a rover, and after a vain effort to turn my reluctant ambition toward on of the learned professions my par ents, despairing of ever doing better, Anally consented to apprentice me to the sea. Unfortunately for the reali zation of their more .secret hopes, I took to that hard, alventurous life as a duck to water, so that, at the end of five years' service, I had risen, through the various grades, to the hon orable position of first o'.cer in 'he old Leyland line, my steamship being the Vulcan, trading botween Now York and South American ports. ! Soon after I attained this berth my father died suddenly, leaving behind him a fair amount of property, a good ly share of which came to me In cash. It chanced that, during a previous voyage, a passenger on board had suc ceeded in Interesting me drej ly In cer tain mining operations which he was conducting under a Bolivian conces sion. Finding myself in possession of abundant means, and experiencing that occasional disgust for sea life common to all sailor-men, I embarked with boyish enthuslnsin in this new enterprise, not only Investing n con siderable amount of money, but like wise giving the company ny personal services as asslstan" superintendent. Reyond doubt our concession wni an extremely valuable one, but, as we were soon destined to discover, it came to us with an unfortunate flaw In the title, there developing a spirited controversy between the constituted authorities of Bolivia and Chile, over which country the territory Involved this early night mantle, appeared un usually noisy and demonstrative. I dimly wondered at it. There was a ceaseless blare of bands, a medley of Inarticulate cries, mingled with the continuous disorder of shuffling feet along the roughly paved streets. I could distinguish nothing definite as I hung curiously over the bal cony rail, staring Idly down, yet it was plainly evident that the entire population was astir with some In creasing excitement. Far out toward the distant mouth of the harbor a fort ress battery was firing salvos of ar tillery, the swift flames of discharge cloav.ng the black shadows In vicious murts of yellowish red the sullen re- vberatlons of Bound shaking the ho tel casements. Some Holy Saint's day, I Imagined, wondering Idly what spe cial devotion of the church could bo responsible for so much of uproar, so general an outpouring of enthusiasm. Still, the thought held me barely for a moment; my own personal nffalra were far too serious and Insistent for any wasted attention upon the snlnts. I turned lm.:k from the rail and glanced carelessly within. The great dining hall was already brilliantly II lumlnated, and a number of the tables were surrounded by guests. It formed a cosmopolitan scene, the grouped faces being representative of a wide variety of races, the scraps of conver sation which flonted to me through the opn window revealing half the lan guages of Europe. Swarthy Spaniards, volatile Frenchmen, silent sons of Al bion, talkative Yankess, bewhlskered and bespectacled n..rmnns, blonde, belonged. From harsh words In pub i rosy-cheeked Swedes, together with lie. and the urlvate exchange of dirv 1 representatives from half a .dozen din irtnatlc note, the argument nr Idly advanced to blows, and was flnallr r ferred to the arbitrament of the rifle As our Inanclal Interests were en tlrely Bolivian, and our Invested money at stake, it was no more than natural that we should openly ally ourselvei nth that struggling faction which thi South American countries, were tndls crtmlnately mingled In sudden broth erhood. This motley, Interesting com "any was composed principally of ten, exhibiting here and there the glitter of military uniforms, or some peculiarity of attire attesting the pre ence of the Inevitable globe trotter, n Chilean authorities promptly de 1 though the majority wer platnl) heavier In that direction than here. The rainfall down the river is also apparently much heavier than In this vicinity. The hope is entertained now that the drouth has been broken and the first shower of the spring to be followed by warm weather has taken place, there will be many; more as they are badly needed. One of the prettiest sights after the shower was the hills along the river below the depot. They are covered with trees Just bursting Into leaf and bright green when fresh from the taste of the rain, and this morn ing when the sun came out, their green was at its most brilliant hue and the hills were brightened with a color which the art of the painter could never hope to depict. Yester day they were yellow and dirty with the color of the sand from the bars in the river and the transformation was a marvelous one. Passengers on the trains must have been struck with the magnificent sight along the river bluffs when vegetation, fresh and green with the morning's bath shono out beautiful in the sunlight. The ground is very dry and wheat has been Buffering considerably from lack of moisture. The dryness of the ground has also interfered very ma terially with planting and plowing and farmers have been especially uneasiness over continued absence of rain. It will take a real, hard soaking rain of some twenty-four hours duration to put the ground into proper condition for planting and starting crops. The weather bureau today forecasts more showers for the day which helps considerably but a general rain is what the farmers want. The froRt and freeze of Monday night it Is now believed, did any material damage to fruit In this sec tion. Fruit growers Interviewed state the several fruit cropH were of a stage of growth which was such that the frost could not materially injure them although the freeze was a rather severe one. If this turns out to be correct, there Is every in dication that the fruit to be raised In this section during the comlngyear will bo a bumper crop. A Pleasant Affair. A very pleasant affair was the re ception tendered District Deputy Skelton of the Klnghts and Ladlea of Security last Monday evening at the comfortable home of Hon. It. B. Windham. The occasion was made a , notable one by the members of the order who were present In large num bers to meet Mr. Skelton, and all those who were favored by going were made to realize that It was a time long to be remembered. There was a nice and attractive program for the occasion and refreshments follow. ed in the course of the evening. Tha Knights and Ladies in this city have been enjoying a steady and substan tial growth during the past year and, are now one of the strongest frater nal lodges in the city. Mrs. George E. Dovey and daugh-. ter Miss Catherine, are spending the afternoon In Omaha having been, passengers for that city on the mall. OHOt'.lt TO MIOW CAISE. In the District Court of Cass County, Nebraska. In the Mutter of the Estate of Tallin Walling, Deceased. This i-HUHt) cumins: on to be heard on the petition of V. 10. Ilttntl. udmtnlstra- tor ot the estate of Tela ha WhIIIiht. deceased, to sell the reul estate belong ing iu nit khiu esuiie, io-wii: The Southwest Uuiirtcr (S. V. 1-4) of the North went Uuurler IN. V. 1-4 and he Northwest yuarter (N. W. 1-4) ot he Southwest (S. V. 1-4) of Section Twelve (l'J) TownHhln Kleven (111. Itaniie Flight (N), In ljmeaHter County, Nebraska, subject to a mortKUKe there- on of Fifteen Hundred Hollars ($1504) now one to pay the drills allowed Kalnsl said estate and costs of admin istration, It Is ordered: Tlint all parties Interested In said estate he and appear before the un-dei-sla-ned Judge of the District Court of Cass County, Nebraska, at chambers In the Court House at rinttsinoiith In. nlil Cass County, on the Twenty. fourth day of May, 11109, to show cause. If any, and why license should not be granted to the said V. K. Hand as ucli administrator to sell the above. described property. And It Is further ordered that this order lie publisher tor four weeks. In t ne I'inttsinoulli Journal, a newspaper mbllshed and of general circulation n said Cuss County, Nebraska, in testimony whereof I have hereun to set my hand thla 12th day of April, l'JO. Harvey r. Travis. Judge of the District Court. Three Were In the Party, Apparently Father, Mother and Daughter. eyes pledging a thoughtful soul be hind to yield them such rare power ot expression; a face reflecting the Joy of living, yet responsive, and, In mo ments of quietness, saddened beyond The Dny of the "Fun." Today is the day of the baseball "fan." The season starts in Oma ha on this day A. D. 1909 and they will all be there to see. If Omaha does not have a record breaking crowd we miss our guess. Dlue skies, a soft, warm air, ideal weather in every reBpect and the Wichita team which has been playing phe- nominal ball since the season start ed ought to be a strong enough com bination to fill the stands and cause a big overflow into the Held. The game should be a hot one and doubt less will. The lure of tho game cnlled out a fair sized crowd of also while the list of others Is some what extended. They are all rooters. Its years; an entrancing dimple visible ..fBI,B from thlg ,.,ty ail(, the mirt in me rainer uiuuu cmn; ine up moist and rosy with health, sufficiently parted to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of white, regular teeth behind; the forehead low and broad, the wealth ot shadowing hair of darkest brown, yet with an odd gleam of reddish gold causing the gathered masses to seem an aureole of beauty. But It was not the outward face alone, nor any com blnatlon ot plenslng features, which yielded such rare and Indescribable. charm It was rather a distinct and unusual personality which gave to these both life and attractiveness. Her slightest glanco or movement, natural and unaffected, seemed a new revela tion of self, the outer expression of a secret Inward life which I Instinctively longed to penetrate, the guarded mys tery of which was Invitation. The three conversed little, speaking English with that lack of restraint coratnou to those who have been ac customed to having discreet servants behind their chairs, the man grum bling icily over the quality of food fur nished and the Indifferent service, my lady commenting with audible distinct ness on the personal appearance ot the various people present, the girl contenting herself with an occasional monosyllable when directly addressed. house looks like a deserted village. Register of Deeds Schneider who probably holds the penant uh) champion "fan' deserted at noon and snnwsseae rngl)gkniogk(olki and was a passenger on the mail. County Judge Reoson who disputes the championship vigorously with Schneider also raced away on the mall train for an early start while Court Reporter Karl Travis who In sists he's In the running for the championship, also was a passenger on tlmt train. Thorn. Walling while while not strictly a court house man, Is still so nearly one thnt he must bo classed that way, also was a passen ger at noon. Others who cast aside the cnreH of business for the nation al game were Claude Shunuiker who left Manager Dunbar to run the ho tel without bis nsslslnnre this af ternoon, Albert Rruttler, who has been wooing the finny tribe In the river for the pnst several days, found tlie temptation too great, and he too went up to see the opening game, Clnyt Rosencrans deserted his chair at the Riley barber simp and Is among those attending tho game I'suildo to Ix'iite. The Havelock city council met Monday and decided to Issue four or five more licenses to applicants for saloons If these applicants can se cure sites for their places . So far no petitions have been filed with the city clerk because none of the appli cants have been able to secure a lease tor the locations. Four men have been trying to locate, three of them Lincoln saloon keepers. It was said that (ins A. Gugenhelmer hnd been fortunate enough to secure a building butlater developments prove that the tenant now holding the locution re fuses to get out. The location Is now occupied by a pool hull, the pro prletor of which 1uh no lonse but has a license to operate In that location He Is said to bo ready to fight to hold tho location. A petition was started among Havelcek business men last night to nsk the city council to grant no more llsences for saloons on main street licenses for siilooim on the main street of the city. Three Lincoln men were arrested In Havelock yes teiday on a chnrge of drunkenness. This fait Is pointed at significantly bv Havelock people. Some of them Buy they are willing to take the inon ey of Lincoln thirsty ones but don't want them as citizens, and are going to see that they behave while they are In the shop city. knJwyp are In the shop city. Lincoln State Journal. I'eter C. Petersen departed this morning for Lincoln where ho will remain all week ns a delegate at tho grand lodge of tho A. O. U. W. I.MJAL KOTICB. State of Nebraska, County of Cass, as. In County Court: In the matter of the Kstate of John I,. Axinuker, deceased. TO ALL, I'KltHONM INTKItKSTKD: You are hereby notified that ther has been filed In this court petition of ltosetta Axmaker, alleKlng amona; other tliliiKs that said John U Axmaker de parted this life Interstate In urn Coun ty, Nebraska, and at said lime aa an Inhabitant or said county, loavlnar an estate to he administered. The nraver of said net It Ion In that Letters of Administration be (ranted to lioseua Axmaker. You are further not f ed that a hearliiMT will be had on said petition before this court In the County Court room at I'lattsmouth, In said County on the 17th day of Mav, lUiMi, at 10 o'clock a. in. and all objections If any, must ! filed on or before said day and hour of lieuilnif. Witness my hand and the seal of the County Court of said County, this 2Ut ftav of April, 1!H)S). teiiAL,) ny the court, Allen J. ileeson Count v Jiidire 1. K. Ilarr, Attorney !.i;;u, notk k To James A. Dysnrt; a non-resident !-1 n In it t . You are hereby notified that on the 1st day of May, A. I ., I'Jll!), Helena A. 1 1 Min t filed a petition HKiiltisI you la Hie District Court of Ciihs Counl'y. Ne braska, the object and prayer of which are, t list. To obtain a divorce from von on the Krootnl that you have wil fully abandoned the plaintiff without uooil chunk for more than two yearn last, ii lid Heiond. that ou have HI'ohnIv ami wantonly failed and tie if lei ted to support said plaintiff, and Third. To Ulet the title to the Noil b west lunrter N W. 1-4) of Section ten (101, Township ten Mill, Iliume iwelvw ll.'i east. In the County of Ciihs, State of Nchrtixka, hi said plaintiff as uualust you. You are leoulicd to make answer to Hiibl petition on or before the 14th day of June, A. 1 , !!. Helena A. l'vcnrt, I'lo mt irr. Hy Itamiey liamsey. Her Attorneys. AlT '.t IIMKXT Ml Tit I'm I K. nusley, will take notice, that on the l.'tth day of April, lit HI), M. Archer, n Justice of the I'euce of Cuss ( 'no n Iv, Nebraska, Issued an order of attachment for tlie sum of $ I n . H 5 In an action pendliiK before Mm, wherein Joseph Ketxer Is plaintiff, and I R ouslcy Is defendant, that property ot the defendant, consist Ina of money has been attached under said order, said cause was continued to the SHth day ot May, 1909, at o clock a. m. Joseph Fetxer, Plaintiff.