f. V.. :.IIK!iI l. rudllilicr.
A RIDE TO HAPPINESS.
EY CAM. JACK CRAWFORIX.
"Yes, our marriage was a wildly ro
mantic one, and it was doubtless the
most exciting ceremony ever performed
in the whole wide world. Cassie, dear,
go into the house and prrpare our
lunch, and while you do so I will tell
the captain of our wild race for happi
ness." The beautiful little woman smilingly
obeyed, leaving behind her the admoni
tion that her husband must closely fol
low the lines of fact, and not sing her
praises in eloquent words as he some
times did.
We were sitting on the veranda of
the great Rocky Bend ranch, on the
Feeos river, in New Mexico. I had
reached there the previous evening,
wearied with a long ride on the trail of
Borne renegade Mescalero Apaches, and
had determined to rest a day before
Betting out for my post at Fort Craig.
I had often heard of the queer marriage
of Dick Arnold, then but a common
cowboy, to the pretty daughter of old
Bob Sayles. the wealthiest cattle king
in the valley, and now that I was the
guest of the hero and heroine of that
wild ride, I was eager to hear the story
from his own lips.
"I first struck Sayles' ranch four
years ag-o this spring," Arnold began.
'I had drifted up from the range down
on the Brazos in Texas, seeking a
country more to my liking, and after
working on various ranches alonsr the
trail I came to this valley, and it suited
me. The spring round-up was coming
on, and old man Sayles was 6hort of
riders, and I soon broke a mount of
the horses and went to work. I reckon
1 had worked there about three weeks
before I saw his daughter, Cassie. I
never had occasion to go to the big
bouse, and she never happened to visit
the cowboy's quarters when I was'pres
ent, but I'd heard of her very often,
for every man in the valley was in love
with her, and the praisesof her beauty
and western accomplishments were
almost becoming tiresome to me. I
had come from a land noted for its
pretty women, and I often told my fellow-riders
that if they could see a few
Texas ranch girls they would, no doubt,
think Miss Cassie a very ordinary crea
ture. "One morning while we were saddling
tip for the day's work the old man came
out to the corral, and with him came
his daughter. I tell you. Jack, that
when she familiarly spoke to some of
the Iwys near me, and then witti a
sunny smile turned her bright eyes on
me and politely bowed, I almost
thought the broncho I was saddling
had turned on me and kicked me right
over the heart. Her beauty was a rev
elation to me, and from that moment I
was numbered with the devotees who
were worshiping at the shrine of her
loveliness. You have seen her, captain,
and know that I do not in the least
crowd the limit in so strongly referring
to the impression her beauty made on
roe. The dignity of wifehood adds to
rather than detracts from her girlish,
grace and loveliness.
" 'Boys,' the old man said, 'Cassie has
tuk a notion that she'll ride on the
round-up to-day. The little gal's been
corraled a long time in the house
a-helpin' her mother, an' a whirl over
the range'll do her good. One o' you
ketch up a hoss fur her.'
"I had often heard and read of love
at first sight, but never believed such a
thing possible until that morning. My
whole soul seemed to go out to that
beautiful girl, and deep in my heart I
felt a presentiment that our meeting in
that rough corral was the first link in
what would one day be a golden chain
of love. You can picture my joy when
the old man said:
"Arnold has been put onto the
smoothest strip o' country to-day, Cas
sie, an' I reckon you'd better ride with
him. Take good care o' her, Dick, an'
don't ride too hard, fur the little gal's
had more housework than outdoor fun
lately, an' ain't toughtened up like she
used to be.'
"1 stepped forward to assist the girl
to mount, assuring the old man that
she should be carefully looked after.
As I took hold of Ler dainty little foot
to place it in the stirrup a thrill went
through me and stronger and stronger
grew the presentiment that I had found
my affinity, and that destiny would
link our future lives together.
"Thers was some confusion in riding
through the gate of the corral, in whii;h
a burly rider named Zack Barstow, a
man to whom I had taken a great ds
like on account of his bullying ways
and profane language, rode close to me
and said:
" 'You're a piliu' on a heap o' ago ay
fur a new man on the range. Look tlut
that you don't get trimmed down, d n
you.'
"Before I could reply he hit his horse
with the spurs and was dashing- away
in the direction assigned him by the
foreman. I felt that the speech v:as
prompted by mad jealousy, and I re
solved that after becoming acquainted
with the youcg girl I would warn her
against him, for I knew he was an un
principled scoundrel.
"Together we rode down the beauti
ful valley, Cassie and I, and ere we had
gone a mile we were chatting as socia
bly and merrily as if sve had known
each other for years. I found her a
charming conversationalist, and, as I
had passed through college and had
6een a great deal of the world before
choosing the rough but fascinating life
of a cowboy, I felt that J. was a not
uninteresting companion for her.
She possessed that charming frankness
and unstudied grace of manner so
characteristic of our western girls, and
through her conversation ran a vein
of droll wit that more than once caused
us to make the valley ring with our
laughter.
"""During the day I learned, to my
surprise, that Cassie was a skilled and
daring rider, and could throw a rope
with an expertness which any knight
of the saddle might well envy. On our
ride homeward when a great long-horn
eteer proved rebellious and broke from
the bunch and took the back trail with
head and tail in the air, she gave chase,
gracefully swinging her rope, and
caught and threw the big animal so
heavily that when released he was glad
to hasten back to his place and remain
there for the rest of the drive.
"When nearing the home ranch I
ventured to tell Cassie of Zack Bar
stow's threat, and, looking into my
face, she earnestly said:
have abhorred that man ever
since ha first came on the range, and
yet papa regards him as one of his very
best men. His actions are disgusting
to me, and I always feel a strange un
easiness when in his presence. Do be
careful and don't anger him, for I be
lieve he has murder in his heart.
"I will not go into the details of the
occurrences of the next few months
further than to relate one incident:
With the foreman and every man on
the ranch excepting Barstow, I was on
the most friendly terms, but the big
fellow hated me bitterly and did not
try to disguise his feelings toward me.
lie annoyed me in every possible man
ner, but, at Cassie's request, I paid lit
tle attention to his actions. Several
times while he was conversing with old
Eob, I noticed that both he and the old
man would cast furtive glances toward
me, and when the wealthy ranch own
er a&sumed a cold, indifferent air to
ward me I knew that Zack was poison
ing him against me.
"One day I had ridden to a ranch a
few miles distant on an errand for
our foreman. I had no arms with me,
and was totally unprepared for what
was to follow.. While riding quietly
homeward, I heard horse's hoofs beat
ing the ground behind me, and, glanc
ing back, saw Barstow riding rapidly
on my trail. As he came ou he took
down and coiled his lariat and run out
the noose, and when about a hundred
feet distant cried out:
" 'I've got you at last, you high-toned
duck, an' I'm goin to rope you an' drag
the life out o' you.-
"lie came on, swinging his rope for a
throw, and, being unarmed, I put my
horse to its utmost speed to escape him.
I knew the heartless ruffian would en
deavor to carry out his threat and drag
tae to death behind his horse, and my
only chance of escape was in being able
to distance him and reach the ranch be
fore he could carry out his murderous
design. We rode for about a mile with
out any perceptible change in the dis
tance between us. and then the supe
rior wind of his horse began to tell,
and he rapidly gained on me. I con
fess that I was thoroughly frightened,
for the thought of being dragged to
death behind a horse was a frightful
one I knew the villain had conceived
the idea that when my horse would
reach tha ranch riderless a search would
be instituted, and when my lifeless
liody should be found the inference
would be a natural one that I had
been thrown and dragged to death.
Turning my head to my pursuer so I
could watch his actions, and if possible
dodge his throw, a sight met my eye
that drove back the clouds of despair
and again filled me with hope of escape.
But about fifty yards behind the
would-be murderer, gracefully swing
ing her rope, her horse straining its
every nerve in response to the touch of
her spur, rode Cassie. I saw the rope
leavj her hand and fall over Barstow's
hhoulders; then, as she drew the rein
and set the horse back on its haunches,
the burly villain was dragged from his
saddle and thrown to the ground,
while his riderless and affrighted horse
ran on toward the ranch. I wheeled
my horse and rode back in time to hear
the brave girl say to the prostrate man:
" Oh, you murderous villain, would
you murder a man in cold blood?
" 'I war only a foolin', Miss Cassie,
he whined. 'We of n play at sich games
on the ran5e, an' I only wanted to have
a little fun with the boy. I wouldn't
a hurt him fur the world.'
" 'Don't lie to me, you coward!' she
cried, her eyes blazing with anger and
excitement. 'You would have mur
dered him. and you know that was
your intention. Now get up and leave,
not only this spot but the country, or I
will send to town and have you ar
rested for attempted murder.'
" 'It's easy to talk o' leavin'. Miss
Cassie, but not so easy "to do with a
broken leg. You've done me up, gal,
an' it'll be a long time afore I kin do
any movin' o' my own accord.'
"Then her tender, womanly sympa
thy asserted itself, and bidding me
hasten to the ranch for assistance she
dismounted to render such aid as she
could to the wounded man.
"1 had gone but a short distance
when I met one of the boys from the
ranch leading Barstow's horse behind
ft
-ac 1 1 1 A.m t-fl
"dos't lie to me. you coward."
his own. searching for the rider, who,
he thought, had been thrown off. I
hastily told him Zack was badly hurt,
and bade him hurry to the ranch and
get a wagon end enough men to care
fully lift him, and then rode back to
Cassie and her wounded charge. I don't
know what promises he had made the
girl, but she asked m to let it be known
that the man's horse had fallen with
him and broken his leg-, and made me
promise to suppress the true facts for
the present.
"B jt a short lime after that adven-
1 tvre X declared my love for the little
girl, and found it warmly reciprocated. '
She told me she had loved me from the
day of our ride on the round-up, and
slyly added that she bad always felt
very happy, for she could read my love
for her in my eyes, and she knew I
would some day tell her of it. With her
permission I went to ask her father's
consent to our marriage, and my golden
hopes seemed dashed to earth at my re
ception. The old man flew into a vio
lent rage, cursed me for my assurance,
and commanded me to leave the ranch
at once and forever. I feared he would
assault me, so preat was his anger at
the thought that a common cowboy
should aspire to the band of his daugh
ter and endeavor to take from him the
pride and joy of his life.
"Inside of an hour I had packed up
and was riding away, cursing the fates
that had been unkind to me. I secured
work on the XTC ranch, about six
miles distant, and, in a few days,
through one of my old companions on
the Sayles ranch, sent my betrothed a
long letter, declaring that she would
yet be mine, and bidding- her hope for
the best Two days later came a reply
couched in terms of the most devoted
love, assuring me that, though she
might not see me again for years, she
would be faithful to me, but express
ing the hope that in time her father
would relent and crown our happiness
with his consent to our union. Through
the same faithful messenger we main
tained a constant correspondence, and,
at last, despairing of ever obtaining the
old father's consent, we planned an
elopement to a neighboring Mexican
village where we could be married by
the native justice of the peace. I rode
to the county seat and procured a li
cense, and so perfect were our arrange
ments that promptly at the appointed
hour Cassie met me at the rendezvous
fixed upon and rode off in the direction
of the Mexlean town.
"We had gone perhaps a mile when,
on looking back, I observed a cloud of
dust, in the breast of which two horse
men were galloping- swiftly after us.
As they drew near I recognized them
as old man Sayles and Barstow, who had
recovered from his injuries, and from
"I PRONOUNCE YOU MAX AND WIFE.
their actions I knew the plot had beeft
discovered, aud they were after us. It
seemed but a vain hope that we could
reach the justice and have the cere
mony performed before being over
taken, but slim as was the hope we
eagerly grasped it and urged our horses
to their greatest speed. On we flew
like wind, our game little animals
straining every nerve, as if conscious
of the great responsibility resting upon
their efforts.
"On turning round a low sand hill in
the valley we noticed but a short dis
tance ahead a horseman riding leisure
ly toward us.
"'There's Pony Bill, the cowboy
preacher,' Cassie cried 'He may help us.
"I recognized him in the distance,
and yelled to him to w heel his horse
and ride beside us. His trained animal
responded quickly to the spur, and as
we dashed along I explained to him the
situation, handed him the license and
begged him to then and there perform
the quickest marriage ceremony in all
his experience as a preacher in the far
west. lie glanced over the official pa
per to satisfy himself of its genuine
ness, and cried:
" 'Join your right hands, and keep
your spurs working on your horses.'
"We did so, and, dashing along at
breakneck speed, our profnises were
made to love and cherish each other
through life. At this point the preach
er's horse stepped in a prairie dog's
hole and fell, throwing him heavily
over its head, but springing quickly
to his feet, he yelled after us:
' T pronounce you man and wife,
and what God hath joined together let
no man put asunder.'
"We were married, firmly and legally
married, and slipping my arm around
the waist of my wife, I drew her
toward me and imprinted a kiss on her
trembling lips, the first marital kiss.
Our horses were yet flying over the
ground at a fearful pace. Glancing
back. I noticed that Bony Bill had
halted our pursuers, and was waving
his broad sombrero as a signal for us
to return. As we reined in our faith
ful steeds Barstow galloped back
toward the ranch, leaving the old man
alone with the cowboy preacher. We
rode slowly back, expecting to meet
the wrath of the father, for we knew
that the preacher had told him we
were married. As we rode up there
was a strange look on the old man's
face, an expression that seemed a
mixture of chagrin, astonishment and
admiration. Advancing to meet us, he
said:
" 'By Godfrey, boy. I like your narve.
Clean grit will win with me every time,
an' a man that '11 work that hard fur a
wife desarves her an '11 make her a
good hnsban'. Gimme yer hand, Dick,
you durned aggravatin' reperbate, fur
I ain't a goin' to kick bekase I'm a
loser in the game. I welcome ye, boy.
es my son, an' ef you always show the
git you have in this jamboree, I'll be
dashed ef I won't be proud o' you. Git
down off t :ur hoss, an' give yer ol
dady'"" v Arnold, fur he ain't a
gom1"0" he ?..,- agin ye. an he'll
tfiTe !the atU jtify start in lif.sica
as not a- the tamtary
o' Ne a cr V"1' eUe '
'Tbw' P-1B won
d and
stocker?1"1 6s-51" v . Vnt si: ape, and
from tl? de of -JVVwe have b
U1J
ly injury,!.
PERSONAL AND LITERARY.
Archbishop Satolli has only men
servants in his house. His interpreter
is the only one who speak English.
He has but one fad, and that is a fond
ness for birds. In almost every room
of the house there is a cage of birds,
and the whole residence seems like a
mammoth aviary.
A nominee for congress in one of
the "Sew York city districts, to fill a
vacancy, is Mr. Lemuel E. Quigg,
whose initials, as a staff writer, have
appeared under some of the most im
portant matter, political and other
wise, that has been published in the
Xew York Tribune.
It is said that Harriet Hosmer, the
famous American sculptress, can wear
as many medals as a hereditary Genoa
duke. She has lived in Europe almost
continuously for twenty years, and has
been a tremendous worker. She says
if she could live her life over again she
would stay more in her own country
and keep in touch with her own coun
trymen. Mrs. Emily E. Ford, who died very
recently in Brooklyn, was the widow
of Gordon L. Ford, a former publisher
of the Tribune; the mother of Wash
ington Ford, the statistician; the
granddaughter of Noah Webster, of
dictionary fame, and last, though by no
means least in these athletic days, the
mother of Malcolm W. Ford, at one
time the champion amateur athlete of
America.
King Oscar of Sweden, on his way
to Christiania the other day, passed
through a small Norwegian town,
which had been elaborately decorated
in his honor. Over the door of one
rather gloomy-looking building there
was a flaring inscription with the
words: "Welcome to his majesty." The
king asked what building it was, and
received the repty: "Our town prison,
your majesty."
Twenty-three countriesand sixteen
languages are represented in the seven
thousand volumes comprised in the
Women's library at Chicago. This
will form a nucleus for the collection
of the literary work of women in the
future, as it will be placed in the per
manent Women's Memorial building
to be erected in Chicago. Along with
the library catalogue, soon to be is
sued, will be published a complete bib
liography of women's writings up to
the present time. Harper's Bazar.
Very rare books, now in a double
sense, are Prof. Tyndall's "Glaciers of
the Alps" (1S00) and his "Hours of Ex
ercise in the Alps" (1S71). For several
years the author was unable to obtain
a copy of the former. "I am told by a
friend," he wrote to a certain book
seller, "that you have two copies of my
book. The price is high, and this is in
a way very gratifying to the author.
And as, unfortunately, I have no copy
myself, I shall be glad if you will send
the books to me at the price named."
Outlook.
Horace Greeley had a high opinion
of the merits of poetry, to judge from
the following extract of a letter he
wrote to his friend, Mr. Hansom: "As
to prose, it is not wortli writing, ex
cept for bread. To live it must be
poetry, only unmarked by rhyme. I
have written acres of it in my tread
mill way, with sometimes a good para
graph, but it can never live a year;
and a good prose work can hard
ly survive a century. Where arc
the American prose writers before
Irving? Where are the British novel
ists before Scott? Yet Shakespeare
and Milton live on forever."
HUMOROUS.
"What a weary look that young
woman has?" "Yes; she married the
man she wanted." N. Y. Journal.
Boarder "Is this genuine vegeta
ble soup?" Waiter "Yes, sir; four
teen carrots fine." Rochester Demo
crat. Customer "Why do you call this
the 'after Christmas' rose?"' Florist
"Ilecause it hasn't a scent." Indian
apolis Journal.
Agnes "Well, I want a husband
who is easily pleased." Maud "Don't
worry, dear; that's the kind you'll get."
Elmira Gazette.
Ho "Why do you regard marriage
as a failure?" She "So many make
use of it to pet money belonging to
others." N. Y. Herald."
A servant girl, writing home to her
parents, said: "I am sorry I have no
money to bu3 a stamp for this letter;
I will put two on the next." Tit-Bits.
It was not his winntrs looks.
Nor yet his smile so I land.
Tiat helped to leep him In tho swim
It was his winnins hand.
Atlanta Constitution.
"But how do you know that Fen
derson is a fool?" "Why, they select
ed him as a juryman in a muider trial
without challenge on either side."
Boston Transcript.
"Do you believe that story of Sant
ley running off with his cook?" "Yes;
he'd do anything to please hts wife."
'Tlease his wife! What do you mean?"
"You see the cook was breaking up her
Valuable china terribly." Inter-Oeean.
Ballet girl (to admirer) "Only
think of it; the society for the preven
tion of cruelty to children was here to
day to inquire about me." Rival
"What a shame; I can testify that you
are very srood to your grandchildren."
Kate Field's Washington.
"Can you let me have five dollars?
I left all my money at home, and I
haven't a cent with me," said Johnnie
Fewsccds to his friend Hostetter .Mc
Ginnii "Sorry I can't lend yon five
dollars. But h're is a nickel car-fare.
You can ride home and get your
money," replied Hcstetter. Texas
Siftins.
Where He Was. The tramp en- i
tcred the rear yard of a house on
Pitcher street last Saturday, and met
at the kitchen, door a lady wearing
glasses. "Can I," lie inquired, "do ;
some work here to earn a pair of old j
shoes?" 'I don't know whether you j
can cr not, sne repueu. out yow
may." He rubbed his eyes a moment
in bewilderment. "I beg your pardon,
madam," he said, "I am not in Boston,
.m I?" Detroit Froe Pri
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
WHEN IT'S COLD.
Then needles are la your flnarers nnd toes;
"Vhen icicles hang f rota the snow-man's noe;
When the frost on tho pane makes sugary tree.
And -wagon-wheels over the hard ground
wheeze:
YThen tho toughened old farmer flings round
his arms
As if he'd throw them ac-oss two farina: -When
ears are rubbed and noses ore red.
And sheets are like ice In the spare-room bedt
When water-pipes burst and wells f reezo up.
And the tea isn't hot when It leaves the cup:
When stray dog's coming along tho street
Never stand for a second on all four fact:
When little toys cry If they have to be out.
And are heard for a full half-mile if they shout:
When the day is as clear as tho CioughLd tha;
fled Out Into the world from Shakespeare's head;
When the air about seems as still as a rotit.
And a sudden noise Is a sudden shock.
And the earth seems deserted, lonely, and old
You ore pretty euro that It's pretty cold:
St. Nicholas.
"PARACHUTE JOE."
How Bo Climbed th Hteeple of Rnnhde
Church la Kiigland.
We give here some sketches of a
daring feat just performed at Rushden,
Northamptonshire, says the West
minster Budget. A man nimed In
gram, known as "Parachute Joe," hav
ing obtained possession of the keys of
the parish church, was soon after
wards seen on the battlements and
speedily commenced to climb to the
top of the lofty spire by means of the
Stone crotchets. A crowd of spectators
gathered in the street below. Having
reached the weather-cock, which he
swung round several times, he pulled
off his necktie and threw it to the
ground. He then turned round, and,
placing his back to the masonry,
waved both his arms to his horrified
audience below. lie succeeded in re
turning safely to the ground, to the
bvshdes PAP.isn enmcn.
relief of all who witnessed the dan
gerous exploit.
"Parachute Joe" has written the fol
lowing description of the adventure:
"On Monday,- nVon tro ool-ck, In
gram made a catlike ascent up the
Rushden church spire. He climbed to
the very top, where he balanced himself
on one foot, holding the other in his
hand. He then took aleisurable view
of his surroundings from the lofty posi
tion. Being apparently satisfied he
commenced tho descent, and having
reached the topmost crotchets, to the
horror of the crowd be,low he deliber
ately turned his back to the steeple
and stood motionless with extended
arms, his feet alone resting on the
slight projection of the crotchets.
Fancy a man standing with his back
to a rock resting on a narrow ledge 0
inches in width, with a yawning
chasm close on 200 feet deep,
into which ho might plunge head
long at any moment, and you feel
Ingram's position! A horrible still
ness reigned below throughout the
crowd, who every moment expected to
see Ingram plunge headlong down
through the awful space. To the sur
prise of all Ingram swiftly turned
round again, catching hold of the stee
ple by one hand, and began making the
descent in a swinging cat-like action,
to the relief of all onlookers. Ingram
warns any persons from imitating his
action up this special spire, as the
crotchets are nearly worn through by
the action of the weather. Ingram
says he never intends ascending an
other spire only for the purpose oi
working thereon, Rushden being the
last of many spires he has ascended."
A Curious California Weed.
In Santa Clara county, Cal., there
grows a weed called the rattlesnake
weed. It is so named from the story
that when rattlesnakes get to fighting
and bite each other, this weed, if
eaten by them, will prevent death. It
grows about six inches tall, has a red
stalk and slender leaves. On the top
of the stalk comes a head of flowers,
and the seeds of these flowers are said
to be very annoying to one in passing
through a mass of them, as they are
furnished with sharp barbs, commonly
called stickers. The early settlers
who had herds of sheep always made
their herdsmen keep with them a bot
tle of strong tea made of rattlesnake
weed, and when anj- of the shep were
bitten they were drenched with this
tea, which always saved them.
"I have jut been thinking alxjut
George Washington." said Mr. Cuiaso.
"What about him?" asked his wife.
"I was vendering if Martha ever
asked hici if her hat was on straight."
Detro1-- Free IVess.
Tlie Wrong Shop.
Penelope Well, what's the latest
gossip?
Pcrdita Dear me, the latest gossip
hIvtcvs ccjcj from you. and it's just
-"hu.t I ca;r:o here to find out. Truth.
P 1
A REMARKABLE DOG
This Strange Story Is Said to ! True la
Every Particular.
My grandfather once owned a dog
that was a cross between a mastiff and
Newfoundland. He was large in siza
as the largest-mentioned breed, and in
color that of an African lion, and
strange to say, had a mane like one.
His ej-es, also, had the intelligent look
of that animal.
Mars was his name. He was noted
for his almost human intelligence. He
never was known to bark as dogs are
wont todo.but, when angry, rattled his
teeth by shaking his head violently, so
that they could be heard at a distance.
This he never did except as a warning,
and woe unto the intruder that passed
unheeding. His disposition was mild
and even playful with those of the
household, but friend r foe never ap
proached the house unchallenged at
night- Mars had a deep, sonorous
voice, when he chose to let it out,
which was very seldom; then it was
more akin to a lion's roar than to any
thing else earthly. He seemed to know
instinctively what was his duty, and
when and where his vigilance was
needed.
Our grandfather, who was a clergy
man, was recommended to reside in
the country on account of feeble
health; hence the family retired for
several years to a beautiful farm in.
AOAI THE DOO LEAPED UP.
Indiana. It was there that Mars"
finest faculties were developed. His
usual place at night was the large
barn that stood about four hundred
yards from the dwelling. The master
of the house had frequent occasions to
be absent several days and nights.
Without one word or sign from any
one, during the nights on these occa
sions. Mars would invariably He across
the threshold of grandmother's door,
which opened out into a wide passage;
but as soon as the master returned
Mars resumed his usual place in the,
barn.
Our grandfather was copartner in a
dry goods establishment in the village,
about a mile from his home. Our
uncle, who resided with him, was chief
clerk. Mars was much attached to
him and would frequently attend uncle
there, then return. As evening ap
proached he would go to the store, as
if to guard him on his return. In win
ter or in stormy weather, uncle would
often ride on horseback to and from
the place of business.
One stormy winter evening, with
Mars, as usual, in waiting, he hastily
closed the store, locked the door, and
leaped onto his horse to ride home.
When Mars saw the horse wheeled for
home, he jumped and gently held uncle
by the pants. Thinking that Mars was
only j,rlad at seeing him start, he shook
him crff and proceeded briskly on.
Again the dog leaped up and rattled
his teeth ominously. Uncle BtoppecL
Mars gently wag-p-ed his tail and
trotted a few steps back. Uncle pon
dered as to what he meant. He knew
the dog well enough to know that
something was wrong: but what? With
his eyes fixed on Mars, he slowly
started again homeward. In an instant
Mars arrested him as before. He then
turned his horse's head and retraced
his way toward the store; while Mars,
full of apparent joy, ran on before, but
still turning every moment to see if he
was followed. On they went. On com
ing again in front of the store, uncle
perceived at once the cause of the
dog's strange actions: for, although ho
had locked the door, he had forgotten
to take the key out. He instantly dis
mounted and secured the key; seeing
which Mars ran homeward without
further pause, but with a look of as
sured content in his splendid ej-es
which uncle never forgot. Chicago
Field. .
Disqualified.
To be a great historian one must ba
endowed with what is known as th
"historic imagination," but he must
also be on his guard against abusing it.
"John." said the teacher, "in your
essay upon George Washington you
say that he was not fond of fishing.
What is your authority for that asser
tion?" "Why," answered Johnny, "we hara
always been told that he could not tell
a lie."
The Comic Valentine.
Saint Valentine! They call him saintl
Vet when you get a daub of piint.
Of horrid shape and frighl.'ul face.
With versos sn to suit your cas?.
You miasle wits yo ir wild complaint
The question why they call him saint
Detroit Free Press.
Extraordinary I'unlshment.
A Frenchman was teaching in a
large school, where he had a reputa
tion among the pupils for making. some
queer mistakes. One day he was teach
ing a class which was rather disorder
ly With the heat and the trouble
some boys he was very snappislt. Hav
ing punished several boys and sent one
to the bottom he at last thouted out ia.
a passion: "Ze whole class fo to zo
bottom!"
An Expensive Drag.
Angry Man That prescription you
gave in; to have filled for my wife cost
rue a pretty sum. My dog ate it.
i Physician It certainly will p Dt cost
you much to have it refilled. '
Angry Man That i not the. ooint.
; Tho dog died; and he cotit ma hua
j dred dollars. Puck.
d with hi
owa) Opinion. '