i A Boulevard Centaur. j
If Police, ji 8am Cummings was
later an !,. aa one ever saw him. He
merged frutu retirement over night, in
full panooly of hi gray uniform for
he was a park policeman white-gloved,
moota-sven, with spotless helmet,
mounted on Dunston, hia black geld
ing. Dur-iton was no less carefully
roomed than his master, and master
and hors seemed well pleaaed with
the world They appeared In fact, to
live a choice existence. Othera might
walk the ugh walks of life, but Dud
ton trotted and pranced down the ex
quisite roadways of the park, or stood
lmmovab' as a sentry to watch the
throng unun the Lake Shore drive, and
am Cummings seemed only to look at
holiday . . ds. and parterres of flow
ers, and 'lie tossing waters of the lake.
To aene Sam Cummine or Dun
ston of modesty would be doing them
a lnjua'ice. If Dunston waa not con
scious o' nia arched neck aad sweep
ing tall. Ms delicate legs and beautiful
back, then smcVe does not fly upward.
If Sam Cumniings did not know that
be !ookl like a leader and a hero, and
waa panted out aa the show police
man of Lincoln Park, then the moon
does no wax and wane. But the van
ities o dimming and Dunston were
not rer,rlcted to personal admiration.
Cumm'tgs waa prouder of Dunston
than he waa of himself, and considered
him tii finest horse that smelled lake
breese from the drive: and Dunston
knew the man on bis back to be the
finest horsemen, and sometimes put
bis horsemanship to the test for the
sole purpose of giving life to the boulevard-
where moat of the horses were
hopelcly conventional in their deport
mentand of showing the fat mer
chant in their carriage what a real
rider 'aa.
Never but once had Dunston been
Jealoim. and that was when his master
used t ride to the Sanitarium every
day t" take dainties to little Ted
Callahan, the sick baby. It waa not
at Ted that Dunston felt aggrieved, but
at Ted's mother, -who waa a widow, no
older ban a girl, who hung over her
dying child with silent torment Never
bad Dunston heard Sam Cummings
peak to any one so gently as he did
to tht white-faced woman; never had
Dunston felt so slight and tender a
hand upon his velvet nose as that of
Molll Callahan. But thoug-h. Dunston
pitied her he did not like her. Sam
Cummings talked to her tar too much,
and it seemed to the horoe that It waa
not impossible that Sam mignt sirone
her air with as kindly a touch as he
her air with as Kinaiy a tuuen as ue
did Tiunaton's neck. Whiou would not
TV,nlilAi11v tnnt I
Tlortriivll V not
But the baby died, and Dunston,
ashamed of himself for his evil thought
walked solemnly behind the hearse that
carr'ed the wee coffin to the cemetery.
Ho and 8am had ordered that coffin,
and he and Sam had been up to the
cemetery before to see the little grave,
and the headstone, and the planting of
rosebushes. After that for a time Sam
was stern and silent, and Dunston mis
erable. The relations between them
never had been so strained. Once or
twice Dunston even thought of throw
ing him. Just to show him there were
limits of endurance. It seemed to Dun
ston there was more reason for rejoic
ing than there had been for a long
time, for the pale-faced little creature
With her widow's bonnet had gone
way altogether. Neither Sam nor Dun
ston saw her any more. But Dunston
could feel that his master sat heavllv
upon him as if he bore a burden of
sorrow; and he no longer laugned witn
happy defiance, as he had used to do,
when Dunston caracoled about the
drives those familiar drives winding
like wide gray ribbons among the fab
ric of greenery.
Well, this was years ago. and is
hardly worth recalling. Times grew
better after several months had passed.
Dunston could feel his master getting
hack to his old light jaunty seat In
the saddle; he had the privilege ot
hearing him warn, and berate, and
shout out to the children as he used to
before ho knew th sad little widow.
They had some fine adventures to
getherSam and Dunston. They had
been in one stiff fight at twilight with
Some city bandits, and they had dashed
Into the breakers and pulled five men
Out from a wreck on one unforgotten
occasion, and had seen many tragedies,
uch as suicides and murders, and had
raced after thieves. But a general
thing, their lives were well ordered.
It would be embarrassing to say how
many years went by in this pleasant
fashion especially would it be embar
rassing to Dunston. who steadily re
fused for the last five years of his life
to let any one look at his teeth. Sam,
with a delicacy characteristic of him.
refrained from doing so, and never
made even the most casual reference to
the passing years. He loked away the
first time he cut up Dunston's food and
pretended not to notice, and when
Dunston made rheumatic attempts to
Branca when the band played Sam did
not hint by so much aa a sigh that the
thing was a poor Imitation of the
pranclngs of other days. Dunston was
equally reserved, and never showed
Bam any favors when he dismounted,
though the dullest horse could have
seen that the policeman was getting a
trifle stiff. As for birthdays they sim
ply were not recognized, as the Chris
tian Scientists say.
One morning Dunston got up with a
i ' i;nt . Kr.ii t Vi I a heart. It - BD-
peared to flutter and even at times to
top. But ne ate nis urrami
as he could and nuzzled the sponge
when his mouth waa washed. Just as he
had done from colthood, and endeavor
ed to frisk his hind legs a bit when he
was saddled. But. by tne way nam
looked at his eyes and the caution with
which he set his pace, Dunston had a
shy notion that he was found out. He
hated to have Earn think him disabled.
There was a bad accident In the park
that day a runaway and Sum put
Dunston hard after the horses, who.
having thrown the occupants of their
carriage out upon the aspbaltum, were
engaged In battering the vehicle to
pieces about their heels. Every one
fted before the crazy creatures, though
the sudden turns of the drive rendered
this difficult at times. There seemed to
b death In the air. and Dunston felt
horribly excited. A foolish notion came
to him to bolt a notion nat at all In
accord with his temperament bat born
C the excitement of the hour and of
: strange fluttering seni m nri.
v. mmmhu th tatnntation and
i and Sam headed the runaway team
esT, and aaanea at incm, u were
dragged along with them, and tangled
p In them, and Dunston tripped rome
hww In the broken harness and went
down. He thought Ban-, would be killed.
mm i hi. !. tha flntterlne at
bis heart grow worse. Then darkness
spread
McdHsSM
avar mm. A leaxiui mwnmm w
....... "
ana men oi peaie -v
H. dimly heard Sam saying;
-IM tilt. hey. H will all be over
WaWa SSL bWIIIIvw 9 w '
Sptre help. Lie still, bey." He
ebeysd he had always done. And
eTbe slipped away without pain Into
Tw rt
a ah alaHlMaW ' BfefflT Olin BYlUSr II. BHBBU
ISC
wwlf QwwaPl
"Why. look nerr to called to the
men who had gathered about, " hat
does this mean? Dunston. old boy! Up
with you! I ray, Dunston. get up!"
"No, use. Sam." said a fellow-officer.
"Poor old Dunston has taken the meas
ure of his days."
"Xonsense! He's fainted. Got some
brandy, anybody?" Several people bad.
But It did not good to Dunston.
The next day Sam Cummings was at
headquarters in the City Hall.
"I've come to give up my star, sir."
he said to the chief "I'm tired of the
life been at It twenty years, you know.
I'm too old to foot It, and I couldn't
ride another horse."
"Cummings, don't be sentimental. It's
hard, I know, losing an old friend like
that, but it's quite absurd to quit on
ac account of It. Take a vacation and
come back In six weeks. Why. I'll pick
you out a horse that will discount your
gelding ten to one."
But Cummings shook his head.
"I'll never get on a horse's back
again." said he. And he said no more,
not wanting to be thought a ool. But
he lived alone, quietly, reading and
resting after a busy life, and taking
comfort of the shelter, after his years
of hand-ln-glove intimacy with the
weather. When he went to walk along
the quiet boulevards at night it seemed
to him he could hear Dunston's hoofs
upon the paving; and In bis dreams he
was the happiest when seemed to be
astride that familiar back. Sam had
never heard of the Centaurs, but the
fact remained that having lost his
horse he lost half of himself. Thus
deprived, he was Incomplete. He lived
In his memories. He ceased to be a
man among men. Chicago Tribune.
Wildcat Hollow,
"Tes. yes. Tou needn't holler so loud!
I'll come soon's I get this pot off the
hook. Can't leave it there to burn
while I put out a traveler's hoss.
Should think he'd know that but. of
course, a stranger don't know. He is
hollering for the hostler, and that's Bill,
but Bill's off somewhere with the
loafers' and I'll have to tend to the boss
or Bill will lose his job.
"Bill and I will need every penny
that we can both earn from now till
then there now, what makes me blush
so? There ain't a Uvin" soul that know
anything about It
"Well, It's done, and these blled vic
tuals are fit for the king himself, or
Colonel Byxbye or even BilL But
there I go agin.
"Somebody will nna out tor sure u i
don't shet up. Land sakes! I'd ruther
i,,aal'D - i T-u W. 1 1 1 r. Ttarber
runs this tavern, an' 'pears to know
hl hmlnoia hilt T will ftaV he lS lUSt
like most other men; he don't 'preciate
a good cook till ne loses ner.
"Now, there's BUI. be Is the only
man In the settlement that 'predates
good qualities.
"Law, me! that hoss looks like he'd
been swimmln' In mud a'most it's
plain he ain't been travelin' no cordu
roy road.
"urn rii lead Mm to the stable
and feed 'im, and leave im for Bill to
clean up.
"I must nurry, tor me iihci
smell the vistuals and be in a fret for
his supper. Don't know which he 11
want first, that or somemin io wiu.
"I'm giad there's plenty of h.ty In the
manger, for of all things I do hate to
climb up and thrown down hay from
the mow. Well, there, I guess eight
ears of corn will be about right for
a hoss of that sue. My, it's gettln'
late! I must step lively.
"I'll Jist slip down to the sprln gand
get a pail of water. It ain't dark, but
it's hard to tell whether it's daylight
or moonlight The moon is Just risin'
and what a Jolly round face he has.
Some way It makes me think of Bill.
"I like a Jolly, red, round face.
"Maybe Bill ain't so thorough-goln'
as some, but he's a comfortable man
to have around, for he never worries
nor bothers himself. He's a real
obllgln" man to do fur, too, and he 'pre
dates. Some way I feel as happy to
night as a duck In the rain.
"My! I was Just goln' to start to
slngin' then. I'm glad I didn't for
that's a deer there drinking at the
saltlick, sure as I live. Who'd a
thought it. and right here In the settle
ment too? Tes. and she's got a fawn
by her side. I'll slip back and get
my rifle. Tes, they are there yet
Well, I'll shoot the fawn first nd If
I hit It the doe won t leave it, so I'll
get 'em both.
There, I'm Just right I've got
them towards the mooir and I can set
them plain. Now I'll try the fawn.
Aim at the head, so; then bring it
down the neck to the shoulder, then
back a little and fire. There, I knew
I wouldn't miss. Now I must load
again quick.
"Just as I thought The doe stands
over the fawn and sniffs, and stamps
first one foot and then the other. Now
she raises her head high and looks
straight at me. This is a good chance.
ui. it thia enn don't miss fire I'm sure
of her. A leetle higher up and pull
so.
"m,r ia man In the settlement
could do' better and not many of them
could do as well, truei, too, u seems,
someway. Well, I'll Just slip back
and nut nn the erun and get Bill to
helo carry up the venison. Oh, ye
needn't be so skeered of Injuns. That
was me shot What did I shoot? Oh,
u ran lest come and see. It was
somethin' worth shootln'. What a
funs vou all make over it! It's queer
they come, and that's all there Is to
It. Oh, bother your blarney! Call
r.T.nln fiallv Indeed! Well. m
houseil be my fort, and I can defend
it if T ain't the head of a company
My bouse head of a company nai
... vmi laurhlns' at? The tavern It
V,. nnia ain't it!
"Well, of all the yelling ana anucs;
One would think you had all gone
-i w rantain Sallv. Caotaln
Sally well, I can stop my ears, that's
one comfort.
imr.il T'm riavin' run or iuck.
Last night the deer come right to me
to be shot, ana toaay i goi a
.... a niu I'v ever rot since I
come west. That quarter dollar I got
for the aeer jusi paiu iur mc
n r iiin't neve io vrcu in
That's lucky, too. Seems like
the deer Jest came a purpose to pay
m utter. There's four letters been
waitln' pretty nigh a month in the
poetofflce for the folks to get money
enough to take 'em out.
"Let me see. Bill promised to. go
hlckory-nuttlng this arternoon. Well.
I guess I'll Jest run In sn" do my halt
a bit afore he comes, then bring my
gun 'long out I might get a chance
ahot at sumthln or 'nother.
hara I he. What a
What a beautiful
m,jt win- .-!.. a It la. tOO. SI I'Vf
, : t v.. ., ,K.
. " " ,' i
(mar i- . - .
as tl. J v always oeen thank
ful thav' ),"' we divided I let 'em take
.k. f 1 Itiat tnnfa theaa thrs
m,n iqi ir, c
lookln' glased I What ft helpful thing
they be. anarinen u i snuuia vrrmr
mnw i a nave iwu nuir im.
That's Jest what I thought when I took
'asm. 'Gewrse the folks mad all man-
nor of fun of mo. Asked how I would
carry 'era a thousand miles Into tha
wilderness, and if I would usa 'em for
plate and all that But what did I
care? I knew If I didn't take 'em 1
wouldn't have any.
"Well, there. 1 11 elave it so. I look
pretty well I think. Yes, and after
took the lookln' glass they said I was
vain, so they made me out as homely
as they could. They forgot that my
lookln' glasses would every on of 'em
deny It Tow-headed, Indeed. My hair
Is Just a rich cieam, or straw or riaxen
color. They said that my eyes were a
dull leaden hue, and my cheek bones
enormous; that my nose was hopelessly
sway-backed and my mouth an exten
sive affair. I learned it by heart 1
could not help It I know the very
tone they used.
'Tain't a word of It true. I guesf
I can see. besides 13111 says 'tain't, an'
Bill knows. He's been around a lot
n' he says aa I've got as good and
strong a face aa there is in the settle
ment
Bill, did you find out who that
Btranger was that stopped here last
night, with his horse plastered with
mud to the ears? No? Well. I didn't
either, but I spose he camo from Fort
Meigs, 'cause he waa in such a fret to
get on to Franklinton. Well, here wt
be an' here's plenty of nuts. too. Well,
I ain't goln" to say a word for a good
five minutes, Jest pick up nuts.
What off a'ready? We ain t got
half of 'era yet Oh, the dog? What I
he treed 7 Jest going to see? Well,
I'll stay here. Some way I can't help
watchln' him. Oh! Mercy me! mercy!
mercy! What waa that? Somethln'
pounced out of that tree right on hii
back.
Panther my rifle oh! Its got
him down. I'm comln' Bill. I m a
comln'. Shoo. scat I'm feared to
shoot, BUI, feared of hlttln' you. No,
I tell you I'm feared of hlttln' you.
That's it Get It away from you a
leetle. There! I guess I've done foi
It
Uw me! Bill where be I? Faint
ed? Do tell! Well, that's Jest my
tyle. Wildcat you say?
(Note The soring mentioned above
n now known as the White Sulphur
spring, and Is located within the col-
ege campus of the Ohio weeieyan
university. The site of the oldeBi
tavern, where Captain bally was me
principal personage, Is located within
a few yards of the spring. The spot
where Captain Sally shot the wildcat
and saved Billy, was for many years
known as wildcat hollow.) Ohio Far
mer.
Life's Quaint Features.
iftAi hofnff aHven nn for defld bv hei
.alaMiroa unA tha attonriinir nhVHirlan
on November 18. and having all her fu-
nerai arrangements maue, anna nun
Johnson, a 16-year-old girl near Bray
mer. Mo., sat up In her coffin and told
of a strange visitation she experienced
wnue ner parents were maning itu;
for her Interment Miss Johnson Is the
daughter or a well-to-ao tarmer.
The bankruptcy of E. Berry Wall,
famrmm n a "Wlnr nf th Dudces.'
in New York, hardly causes a ripple or
me sunace ot tne ocean oi nrn.
Wail places his liabilities at a little
more than 19,000 and his assets at no in.
Ing. That habits of royalty still cling
to him is evident irom me Biaieuieni
th.t much nf his Indebtedness is tc
various tailors, though he confesses to
owing Delmonlco s aoout ji.to.
vi.. I,,- William V Tiifker of the Unit.
ed States army, chief paymaster of the
Department of the laxes; Major imi
nugKlns, acting Inspector general o
the Department of the Lakes, and Cap
tain Alfred 8. Frost of the Twenty-second
United States Infantry, have been
appointed and constituted a board of
inquiry to investigate the facts and
place the responsibility attending the
i, .in nf nn mule and a halter, the
property of the United States, which
recently disappeared, irom run nom
as, Ky. A large number or wuneBnee
are to be examined.
Hobart Miller, a Virginia lawyet
kniHin. nn arrMent insurance Dollcy.
died from swallowing food containing
hard, pointed ana resisting luwuumi
which cut through his Intestines. " The
company, in defending a suit for the
nf tha nnilrv set un that the In
surance was against death from bodily
Injuries sustained tnrougn externa, viv
wA aMntal means, but the
court overruled this demurrer, holding
that the Injury causea was acciuenvai.
a .nnnrin atnrv rnmM from Greens-
fork, a town nine miles south of Rich
mond. Ind. Twenty years ago in 11-
..- am rf.ntfhiar tt Aaron Gunckel
yi;ai-um. uAup,"11- v-
accompanied an aunt to some point east
on a visit After several weeks had
elapsed without word from eitner Be
ing received. Mr. Gunckel tried to lo
cate his child, but without success. Foi
more than two years the search wai
continued, but not a trace of the miss
in irirt nr har aunt waa found. One
day recently a prepossessing woman ol
34 years arriveo in tne vhih.bc.
i anri pnlnr to the Gunckel
home, said she was Maude Gunckel, the
long-missing daugnter. nne claims wm
her aunt took her to New York City
and placed her In the care of a family
.fhlch afterwara aaopieu nu
. th. rma nf Martin. Two month
Via- Hna rrnr from home the gov
ernment changed the name of the post-
office from Washington to orrennuin.
Letters that sne wrote were rem
,i- li T 1 1, i 1 n .nnntv. Tnd. Hei
aunt disappeared fifteen years ago. Th
young woman imenus iu -
her father, who Is now an old man.
SECULAR SHOTS AT THE PULPI1
rM,imiin fhrnnlcle: Hence we U.1
Inclined to believe that the spiritual
. f ti t .1 Axtell of Hoy-'
lauvi. v. -
Oak, Mich., will be rreatly expedited
and aidea oy nis vuynm v ur,
When he donned five-ounce gloves anc
entered the ring with a. man of sin who
scoffed at sacred things he at once rose
greatly In the estimation oi nis an-
. -4 nf lh. nlhar ravllera who
had questioned his courage. And when
he waliopeo tne man oi am m uvc """j
rounds dealing out swings, jaua. nw
...a .innarnnta In the most SDDTOVed
scientific fashion It is perfectly safe to
say that his adversary snarea me u
.i Piiinnal Tlam.ia. The dullest
uincui v.v.
of men are susceptible to the argument
conveyed oy a ncaing.
Medical Record: It Is somewhat of a
in laarn that a first-class cler
gyman In a country town averages onl
from 6W to w as yearly aaiaij,
those In the large cities are not enough
aboe those figures to make up lh
relative differences In Incidental ex
penses of living. The Utter mounti
... ..ia n r.nn from ll 000 to S1.20C
yearly. Certainly the average doctoi
must do better than tnis, otnerwise n
must either run In debt or look foi
nth., nomination. If the doCtOf
In practice must make any living at all
he II bound IO riicunu on "
third more and perhaps double thai
i-i-i. u ,oshM ran a-at. We ST
now speaking of the average man la
both professions, It being well known
that special skill and recognised ability
Is either calling always command pro
porUooatsly increased remuneraUoft,
"So Miss PjBer's got to go to the
poor farm," said Mrs. Green. "I'm
surprised that she's kep" out of It bo
long.
"Yes." said the portly, pompous Mrs.
Barker, wife of the chairman of the
selectmen, "my husband told me thifc
noon that she had applied to the town
for help, and of course they can't sup
port her In h-r own house."
"I said 'twus flying In the face of
fate when she took those two children
to bring up; one died and t'other tan
away, and now she's all alone."
The vinegar-faced dame who had
thus delivered herself Bottled to her
work with a Belf-congTatulatory look,
as if she thanked the Lord that she
was not as others were.
Mrs. Barker croesed her hands In
stately Idleness; It did not become the
wife of the richest man in Bayvllle to
sew at the fortnight circle; her pres
ence was all-sufficient.
Mise Berry, who sat beside her, look
ed up from her seam. Her sallow face
was a trifle pale.
"You don't mean to say that the
Willowdale people are going to allow
Elizabeth Pyser to go on the town
after all the good she's done?" she
asked.
"Why not?" returned Mrs. Barker.
"It ain't their fault that Bhe's wasted
her money. She's shiftless always
glvln' something to somebody; and
meek meek as Moses; you'd think
she daan't say her soul's her own; but
she's deep!" And with a sigh of com
miseration at the unworthlness of
poor little Miss Pyser, she closed her
mouth with a snap. She had never
forgiven her for being Mr. Barker's
first love, and Riie half suspected that
he would be quite willing to exchange
his energetic and short-tempered wife
for the sweetheart of his youth. "But
you mustn't whisper that I told you
this, for Mr. Barker says women never
know enough to keep anything to
themselves."
"I'm sure we never gossip here,"
said Mrs. Green.
"Where are you goln'. Miss Berry?
Ain't you goln' to stop to tea?"
"No; I gueEB I'd better be gettln'
home early tonight; Bessle'll be wait
ing for me."
"Now, I'll bet Clarindy Berry's gone
straight over to the millln'ry store to
upread the news; so afraid she won't
be the first to tell It Thank heaven,
I know enough to keep things to my
self!" But Miss Berry was not going to the
store nor to spread the news; she
knew that It was unprecedented for
her to leave the sewing meeting be
fore tea time; but as she listened to
the talk the days of her girlhood rose
before her when she and Elizabeth
Pyser were "chums," and told each
other all their secrets; then came u
foolish little quarrel, and they had not
exchanged words for twenty years.
She walked straight down the street
turned the corner, and without giving
herself time to change her mind, en
tered Miss Pyser's garden and went
up the walk bordered with bouncing
bets, or "old maid's pinks.". When, in
answer to her knock, Miss Pyser open
ed the door, neither knew what to say,
but straightway fell Into each other's
arms and began to cry.
The door closed on them. An hour
after when Miss Berry left the house
to go to her own home, there waa a
springiness In her ste?, and a smile
playing about the corners of her thin
lips, that betokened unusual excite
ment Her pretty niece, Bessie, was about
to sit down to her lonely tea when
MIfs Berry made her appearance.
"Why, auntie, what brings you
home so early?" she asked pleasantly.
"Oh, I couldn't stand the clatter of
those old women. Now you needn't
laugh, Bessie Berry; I know I'm no
chicken myse-lf; but if I'm aa heartless
as them I left behind. I hope I'll die
before morning."
"Well, what's the matter? Tou seem
to be excited."
"No. I ain't! I'm Just as calm as
you are. But I've been makln" calls
this afternoon. I went to see Betty
Pyser. I kep' questlonln' her till she
told me all about how she lost her
money in the bank that failed over to
Coveton; the man that owned the
house, be let her stay In It out of pity;
first Bhe earned a little by sewin'. but
lately folks didn't seem to want any
work done, and Bhe Just shut herself
up there to starve. But human nature
got the best of her, and she had to go
to the town. She's always been hop
ing that that good-for-nothing John
nie would come home, but Bhe's about
glv' him up now. I asked her how
much of the furniture was here, and
kep' a hlntln' and a hlntln' till I found
out everything she could tell me; and
I enjoyed every minute."
She paused, out of breath with ex
citement and remained for some time
in deep thought Bessie, too, wat
silent She divined what was passing
In her aunt'B mind.
"Say, BeBsle," said Miss Berry at
last, "do you think we could contrlvt
to keep another? I can't bear the
thought of having Elizabeth go to the
poor farm. There's that back cham
ber with nothing In It, and she's got
her own furniture "
She looked appeallngly at the girl,
who did not Immediately answer. To
undertake the rare of another meant
additional sacrifices, more rigid econ
omy. She sighed a little; life was hard
enough for her already. Should she
add to her burden? would sne De just
to herwlf In doing so? Then she
thought of the days when she and
John Pyser were boy and girl lovers,
and made wonderful plans of whnt
they would do when they grew up. She
had never lost faith In John; some
day If he lived, ahe knew he would
come back to them. A light sprang
Into her pretty blue eyes, and she met
hr mint's look with a smile.
"Miss Elizabeth mustn't go on the
town, auntie. There's plenty of room
for her here, snd we'll drive over this
very evening snd bring her nome.
After her kuest had departed, Miss
Elizabeth sank to the old lounge that
had witnessed so many confidences.
and the tears flowed down her thin
cheeks. Bhe thought she had hard'
aned herself for what the morrow
would bring; but now she wss a for
lorn old msld, crying because she must
harome the companion or craxy jane
and Witless Will. How little she had
dreamed of this In the days when she
was young and pretty, and every one
called her Bess. One there wss who
swore she wss the apple of his eye
but he would not undertake the cart
of her ornhsned nephew snd niece
snd she would not desert them; so ht
left her for snother. Now he was an
Important person In the town, a select
man: and she gave a little gasp, and
honed he would not be the one chosen
to rime for her tomorrow; she really
didn't think she could bear that.
TTils wns the last night In her own
home, and she could not swsllow the
morsel of bread that formed her even
In repast: something would rise In
her throat and choke her every time
aha tried.
the gate; could It be that the last
night at home was to be denied hv1
A loud knock brought her trembling it
the door. A burly teamster sioot
there, and by his side Miss Berry ano
BeBsle: what could It mean?
"Betty, you are coming home wltl
Bessie and me. TtU us what furnltur.
to take, and lot this man get H." sal
Miss Berry; and she drew the dumb
lounded woman aside and In a fe
words explained matters.
Almost dozed. Miss Elizabeth sanl
on the old lounge, while Miss Berry
went from room to room selecting thv
artlrles needed. Then liissle brough
the bonntt and shawl that lay read)
tor tomorrow's Journey, and jogethei
she and MIfs Berry led her to her new
borne.
Could It be possible that the poor
house was a thing of the past? She
must be dreaming. By tomorrow, sure
ly, she would wake up to the awful
reality.
But It waa no dream, and the next
mornign Miss Elizabeth awoke with
the feeling that an awful catastrophe
had been averted and the sword which
had been hanging over her head for so
long had been pi evented from falling
by the kind Intervention of her old
time friend.
As Bessie had anticipated, the com
ing of another into the little home
circle meant more self-denlai for her
self. New frocks and hats were out
of theiquestlon; but she ripped and
sponged and remade her winter drees,
and her nimble fingers and good taste
Boon brought out of the ruins of last
season's wardrobe a brand new out
fit In which she looked as pretty as a
pink.
As for the two old friends, they fair
ly worshiped the girl who was the
Joy as well aa the sunlight of their
home. So this happy family dwelt to
gether In peace and harmony, Inde
pendent of outsiders, until an event
happened which broke up the horns
circle.
One day a stranger strode Into the
town father's office and asked In a
voice that commanded instant atten
tion: "Where Is Miss Elizabeth Pyser?"
The clerk answered that she had
become somewhat reduced In circum
stances, and had applied to the town
for aid: and bo and so
"And you Bent her to the poorhouse!
Was there no one In this God-forsaken
hole to pay her back a little of the
kindness she had always Bhown oth
ers ?"
"Yes," the young man said. "Miss
Berry took her in." And he told the
stranger where to find her.
It was Miss Elizabeth's turn to be
electrified when a prosperous looking
man Boon presented himself at Miss
Berry's house and Inquired If his Aunt
Be? lived there.
"I am Elizabeth Pyser. sir," she an
swered in response to his Inquiries.
"Why. auntie, don't you. rememoei
Johnnie?" he exclaimed.
Miss Elizabeth had grown very
white, and slipped Into a lifeless heap
on the floor; out joy never nni. mm
when Bhe recovered It was realized
that her troubles were over, for John
nie waa well-to-do and able to take
care of her for the remainder of her
days.
The old house was bought back and
refurnished, ana Johnnie and his aunt
soon settled into the old life. She
petted him, to her heart's content and
he alternately fondled and teased her.
Just as he had done years before when
he wore pinafors, and she had sent
him to bed without any supper, mu
then carried him up sandwiches for
fear he might be hungry.
And Bessie Berry also returned to
the old routine, and waj as busy and
cheerful as ever though her aunt
thought she seemed rather quieter
than of yore, particularly when John
Pyser came to see them, as he did
more frequently at time roiled on.
"Aunt BeB," said John one day. In
rather a thamefaced manner, "don't
you think you should have some young
person In the house to do the work?"
"Oh. Johnnie!" cried the little woman
In fear and trembling. "Don't I please
you? I know I am getting old, but I
thought you was used to my ways
and we could get along. I don't want
a girl botherln' 'round.
"Of course I'll do anything to make
you happier. Johnnie, though I don c
see how a servant can make home any
pleasanter for you. As for me, I should
Just rust out and die If I didn't have
something to do."
The dear old lady waa umuw ia
tears. . ,
AunUe, It Isn't exactly ft servant
want: It's In fact"
Jnhnnle really couian l say mo
r,nti' he hardly dared think them as
yet; but he crossed the room to Aunt
Bess and wnispereo in ner i.
"Oh. John!" Bhe cried aengnieaiy,
how stupid of me! It's Just the thing!
And I never thought or it Deiore:
Miss Elizabeth was in a nuiier
pleasure. She urged ner nepnew w
go at once on his errand.
I'll Elt UP till you conm iiiinc.
Won't It be like a story If Bessie De-
comes your wife?"
Perhaps she won t nave me. uui
Bess." . .
Pshaw! Go along! wnais worm
having Is worth asking tor. nnv
you? Of course she will! She's sensi
ble, Bessie Is."
Anrt Minn Elizabeth looked wun
pride on the utalwart young mm, who,
although he was not handsome, had
an honest manly face that a woman
could trust.
Aunt Bess was right. Ana now me
two families are one, anu wic
maids vie with each other In petting
and Bpolllng their grown-up children,
who In return for the kindness shown
them In their youth, make their lives
one long happy dream. MassachusetU
Ploughman.
LAUGHING MATTERS.
Detroit Journal: "Are you familiar
with the music?" "Tolerably. I know
most of the places where a person
should stop breathing."
Indianapolis Journal: "They say mu
sic will cure the blues." mats so;
when I hear some kinds of music I
quit feeling sad and get mad."
Chicago Record: "Julia, you oughl
to see the doctor about that cough."
"Bo near Christmas as this? No, in
deed!" Chicago Times-Herald :'The man who
expects to get something for nothing."
said the moralist, "is oouna to De ais
appolnted." "Oh. I dunno," said Tired
Tread well. "I sln't pan-handlln' fer
me healf merely."
Cleveland Plain Dealer: "Bom phil
osopher ssys that real worth requlrei
no Interpreter." "Well, that's right; II
doesn't If It wants to alt sround un
noticed while the fellow with ft presi
agent Is getting there,"
Judge: "Isn't It od dthst whenevat
Mr. Dlnsmore makes a present Jt al
ways consists of gloves?" said Mist
Goldthorpe. "He wants his presents tc
be slwsys on hand," replied Miss WII
berforce. Indianapolis Journal: "I can't under
stand why women enjoy seeing foot
ball." "I'll tell you; It la because the
th men look as If they Had bees
cleaning house."
Religious Notes.
London churches raised over IM.MV
on "soldiers' Sunday" for the benefit of
British soldiers' families.
Dr. A. H. Strong, president ot Ro
chester Theological seminary, an
nounces that John D. Rockefei.er hag
lust made a conditional pledge it Sl&eV
000 to that institution.
In 1H53 out of every 1.900 j laniagea
in England and Wales, fifty-one were
performed by Roman Catholic priests.
In 1SU7 the number had decreased to
forty-one In every 1.000.
BlBhop Tugwell of the Church of
England is about to go aa a mlsnloaary
to Haussaland, Africa, a country of
15,000,000 inhabitants that has never
been effectually touched by English
missionaries.
The decision of the archbishops ol
England In requesting compliance with
their decision in the ritualistic cases
has Induced nearly all the vicars some
300 In number to yield obedience by
giving up Incense and processional
lighta
The young men of Dr. Meredith
church In Brooklyn have decided to
meet Just before Sunday evening serv
ice and discuss the morning sermon.
Nothing, It Ib said, so pleases the wide
awake clergyman as to know that bis
sermons are being discussed.
Rev. Dr. Edward McGlynn Is lying la
a state of great weakness at Newbursj
having been prostrated by two alarm
ing attacks of heart failure within
twenty-four hours. It Is thought he
may. after a period of ret, get around
again and live a year or two without
another attack. ,
The Baptists of Brooklyn are going I
to build a 1150.000 church, which will y
have a roof garden where serri(-es may'
be held during the summer evenings.
There will be four elevators to carry
people up and down. The pastor, Rer.
A. C. Dixon, says no drinks of assy,
kind will be sold.
Two trotley car motormen of Boste
have been suspended from the congre
gation of the Broadway tabernacle
church of that city for running their
cafs on Sunday. When the young men
got their Jobs they were warned by
their pastor not to work on Sunday,
They applied for that day off and wens'
refused. Both men have families.
The late Erastus Lathrop of West
field, Mass.. left his entire estate,
amounting to about 112.000. to Dwight
L. Moody of Northfiid. "for the promo
tion of Christian principle-, for the up
building of the caiu-e of Christ trust
ing to his care, fidelity and good Judg
ment to place the same where It will
do the most good."
France Is said to be the most Im
portant as well as the most promising
Protestant mission field. Congregation
of 200 members, not one of whom was
brought up In the evangelical faith,
and Sunday schools of fifty children,
who a year ago had never heard of the
bible, are a common occurrence. NO
movement of such proportions has been
wltneroed elnce the time of the refr
matton. .
Some time ago It wna announced the
sirdar was to allow missionaries to set
tie In Khartoum In September, and ac
cordingly the English Church Mission
ary society made complete arrange
ments for taking advantage of the per
mlcclon. Since then, however. Lor
Kitchener has changed his mind, and
will allow only the establishment of ft
depot of operation, with a view to
active work among the heathen In the
southern Soudan. Th workers of the
society are greatly disappointed, af
they say a medical mission has alwajrst
been found acceptable, even among thO
Moslems. Traders are freely admitted
to the city and missionaries ars anx
iously awaiting their turn.
The Old Timers,
Adolph von Plchler, the Tyrolese poet
has Just celebrated his eightieth birth
day. He Is hard at work upon a com
plete edition of his writings.
Isaac Wardwell and his twin sister,
Mrs. W. C. Hoyt of Stamford. Conn.,
celebrated the eighty-fourth anniver
sary of their birth at Mrs. Hoyt's rest
Hena December 19. They are of tha
sixth generation of the family whs
have lived In Stamford. Mr. Wardwell
has lived practically all the time 1ft
Stamford.
In the matter of continuous service
as an editor, Perhaps A. E. Burr of the
Hartford (Conn.) Times Is the oldest
In the counuy. Mr. Burr purchase
an Interest In the Weekly Times sixty
one years ago January 1 next and turn
ed It Into a daily two years later. Sine
his firBt connection with the paper ha
has had editorial control and is still
In active service, bearing well his
K yesrn.
Dr. Charles F. H. Willoghs of Doyle,
town, a. who Is the oldest practicing
physician In the Buckeye state, cele
brated his ninety-sixth birthday recent
ly and Is still 'bo well preserved that he
has good reason to hope for the com
pletion of a century. Very few of the
male members of his family have died
before reach!. ig the age of 0 and hi
grandfather lived until he was 100.
Ambrose Hanchett of Maryvllle, M,
Y., celebrated the 100th anniversary of
his birth November 25. Mr. Hanchett
was born In Worlhington, Mass., on
November 25, 17S9, coming to the then
thinly settled Chautauqua county early
In this century- He has lived for near
ly ninety years within two miles ol
Maryvllle. He haB always been hal
and hearty,' sleep well and eats heart
I'y of anything for which he cares.
Caleb Baldwin ot Newark took an
active part In the celebration of nis
100th birthday at the home or nis
daughter. Mrs. Caleb Nagles, at 4S Or
chard street. November 29. A number
. .v.. ,.ium- were surnrlKed by him
opening the front door to admit them
when they rang. When one visitor aa
kln hntu ha felt, he said, with 'ft
smile: "Oh. pretty well for a young fel
low." A large proportion oi i.i
were aged men, many being over M
and two or three over 90. It was fesred
that the excitement and exertion migns
have a bad effect upon him, but he wa
apparently as chipper at nightfall as
he wss In the morning, ana mis in
spite of the fact that he did not nave
his customary punch at noon. He said
he had been too busy to think of IV
Indianapolis News: In Loganspw
.here seems to be a. rivalry among 1 m
preacher to attract large congrega
tions, and It Is said that they hay
idopted means to this end, among them
tha selection of a series of "catching"
topics." In this way one clergyman
has announced a sermon "for man
only." He will tnen have a servlc
"for women only." The obvious resem
blance of this kind of notice to thing
of less sweetness and light need only
be alluded to. With full credit for th
purity of purpose that animates the
preacher In using this kind f ftn-V
nouncement to attract popular atten-T
tlon, we cannot help but feel that there!
I something of the kind of sesl In ir
that eats on up. W can hardlf
Mark) a wagon was rumpling up to
aglow taw bhw "H
