J---
4 .
SISTER'S VENGEANCE
By CEORCE MANVILLE FENN
CHAPTER XII. (Continued.)
Humphrey could not hear all tiiat a
aid, but a word fell upon his ear from
time to time, and as he pieced these
Words together it seemed a if the speak
tr were declaiming against tyranny and
oppression, aotr-camag -cjHaln-Bif"rj
to help him to put an end to the state of,
affairs existing,
Then came an excited outburst, as the
speaker must have turned hi face to-
ward the door, for these words came
plainly:
"The end of it will be that they'll eS'
cape, and bring a man-of-war down up
on us, and all through his fooling."
A murmur arose.
"He's gone mad, I tell you all; aud if
you like to choose a captain for your
selves, choose oue, aud I'll follow him
like a man; but it's time something was
done if we want to live."
Another burst of murmurs rose here.
"He's mad, I tell you, or he wouldn't
keep him like that. So whats it to be,
my lads, a new captaia or the yard arm?"
CHAPTER XIII.
Tile time glided on, and Humphrey al
ways knew when his captor was at sea,
for the severity of his imprisonment was
then most felt. The lieutenant, Mazzard,
was always left in charge of the place
but Bart remained behind by the ca-
tain'a orders, and at these times Hum
phrey was sternly ordered to keep to his
prison.
Dinny came and went, but, try him bow
lie would, Humphrey could get nothing
from him for days and days.
The tide turned at last.
"Well, sor," said Diuny oue morning,
"I're been thinking it over a great dale.
I don't like desarting the captaia, who
has been like a brother to me; but there's
Miathresa Greeuheyg, and love's a won
derful excuse for a many things."
More days passed, and every stroll out
side his prison bad to be taken by Hum
phrey with Bart as close to liira as his
shadow.
Dinny kept away again, and the plan
to escape might as well have never been
ottered.
Bart always went well armed with his
prisoner, and seemed unusually suspi
cious; as if fearing an attempt at escape.
Dinny's little widow came no more, and
the hours grew so irksome with the con
finement consequent upon the captain's
absence that Bart longed for his return.
' One morning Bart's manner showed
that something had occurred. His sour
face wore a smile, and he was evidently
greatly relieved of his responsibility as
he said to the prisoner:
' "There, you can go out."
"Has the captain returned?"
Bart delivered himself of a short nod.
"Tell him I wish to see him. Hid him
come here."
"What! the skipper? Ton mean, ask
hiss if I may take yos to him, aad he'll
see you."
"I said. Tell your skipper ts came
here!" said Humphrey, drawing himself
Bp as if he were oa the quarterdeck.
"Tell him I wish to see him st oace."
Bart drew a long breath. Then, nail
ing grimly, he slowly left the place.
The buccaneer, who looked anxious and
dispirited, was listening to some com
plaint made by his lieutenant, and angry
words were passing which made Bart
as he heard them hasten his steps, t.nd
look sharply from one to the other as he
entered.
Black Mazzard scowled, his face being'
villainous without
-. "Well," he said alond, "I've warned
your' and he strode out of the old cham
ber which formed the captain's quarters.
"You two been quarreling 7" said Bart,
sharply.
"The dog's insolence is worse than
ever!" cried the captain, with flashing
eyes. "Bart, I don't waat to shed the
blood of the man who has been my offi
cer, but "
"Let someone else bleed him," growled
Bait Dick would: Dinny would give
anything to do it. We're 'bout tired of
him. I should like the job myself."
"Silence!" said the captaia, sternly.
"Nn, speak; tell me, what has been going
oa since I've been away?"
"Black Mazzard V
The captain nodded.
"Half the time he's speat la the south
ruins preaching to the men."
"Preaching?
"Yes, with you for a text. Just ia his
oid way; but I've beea too buy with the
prisoner. He wants yon!"
The buccaneer sprang ts his feet.
"He wants me he has seat far ae?"
- he Fried, eagerly.
"You'll gor
"Yes. Perhaps be has sanethlag ts
sar answer to aa offer I aide."
"A a offer r
"Yes, Bart, to joia aa, aad be one of
my lieutenants."
"Join as, and be your Henteaaat T cried
Bart.
"Yes, my friend. I like hist far the
sake of his old generous ways, tad I like
aim (or bis present aaliaeas."
"You like him?"
"Yes. It is not impossible, la it, that
I should like to have a Mead?"
"Friend?"
"Yesf aald the captaia, steraiy; "sa
other friend! Don't stare, nan, and think
of the past, Mary Dell died, aad Abel
Dell still lives Commodore Jsak, seek
ing to Uke vengeance nnoa these who
eat that young life short"
"Look here." said Bart, whs gaaped
as he listened to bis companion's wild ut
terances; "are yon going saadf
"No, Bart; I sm as saae at you."
"But. you said "
"What I choose ta ssy, aaan. Let sm
believe aU that If t Hke. Do yea sap
pas I do not want same shield sgainst
the etlaga ( 017 awa thoughts? I canst
ta Ulna all that and It shall be aa. Yea
ball tarn It too. I ass Osdsro Jaak.
aad K I wish this ssaa U be say friend,
. aad ha araseats. It aha be tar
rMaarc7 was begiaalag ta feel the
K-J of returning strength la Ma veina,
t l It ferpagbt with It his aid Indeaea-
, : aC aatrit aad the asewwrr that he
-1 Ibva trateai to rata. U Kttle eai
r 1 at Ich Bart Iftat auraiag aa iwOant
1 a 3 and iwarared Has fcr fcte
, .aicji r lartrr
it
A smile played about his lip as a tep
drew nearer. The buccaneer entered the
cliamber. He Htood gaziu down at the
handsome, manly figure of his prisoner.
'1'heu a frown puckered his brow, aud he
!aid, quietly:
"Asleep -,'
"So," said Humphrey; "n
fellow. I was only ihinkinz.'
my good
The buccaneer frowned a little more
heavily a he listened to hi prisoner'
jeool, careless words, aud felt the coutcuip-
1 nous tone in which be as addressed,
"You e,ut for me," he said, harshly,
and Lis voice' sounded coarse and rough.
"Well," said Humphrey, with hisul -nt
contempt, "how many ships have you
plundered how many throats have you
cut this voyage?"
The buccaneer's eyes seemed to flash
as be took a step forward, and made an
angry gesture. Hut he cheeked himself
011 the instant, and. with a faint smile,
replied :
"Captain Armstrong is disposed to be
merry. Why have you sent for me?"
"Merry!" said Humphrey, still ignor
ing the question; "one need be, shut up
iu thin tomb. Well, you are back again?"
"Yes, 1 am back again," said the buc
caneer, smoothing bis brow, and declin
ing to be angry with his prisoner for his
insulting way. "It is tint the pecking of a
prisoned bird," be said to himself. .
"And not been caught and baneed yet?
I was in hope that I had seen the la-rt
of you."
"1 hare heard tell before of prisoners
reriling their captors," said the bucca
neer, quietly.
"Kerile! Well, is it not your portion?"
"For treating you with the considera
tion due to a gentleman?" said the buc
caneer, whose features grew more cairn
and win se eyes brightened as if from
satisfaction at finding the prisoner so cool
and daring, and in how little account he
was- beid. "I have given orders that the
prisoner should be treated well. Is there
anything more I can do?"
The harsh, grating voice had grown
soft, deep, rich and mellow, while the
dark, flashing eyes seemed to have be
come dreamy as they rested upon the
prisoner's handsome, defiant face.
"Yes," said Humphrey, bitterly; "give
me my liberty."
The b.tccaneer nhook his head.
"Curse you! No; you profess to serve
me--to treat me well and you keep me
here barred up like some wild beast whom
you have caged."
"Barred caged!" said the buccaneer,
raising his eyebrows. "You have free
dom to wander where you will."
"Bah! freedom!" cried Humphrey
springing up. "Curse you! why dou't 1
strangle you where you stand?"
At that moment there was a rustliug
among the leaves outside the window,
and Humphrey burst into a mocking
laugh.
"How braver he cried. "The oucca
neer captain comes to see hi unarmed
P'.isocei, and his guards watt ou'sidc
the doorway, while another party stop by
the window, ready to spring in."
The luccaneer's face turned of a deep.
dull red the glow of annoyance, as he
stride to the window and exclaimed
fiercely:
'Why are you here? Go!"
-I;r
'Go, Bart," said the buccaneer, more
qu'eily. "Captain Armstrong wili not
injure me."
There was a heavy rustling sound
among the leaves and the buccati"er
made as if to go to the great enrtnir.;
but he checked himself, turned, inl said,
smilirg sadly:
"Captain Armstrong will believe me
when 1 tell him that there in no jne out
there. Come, sir. yon have sent for me
You have thought well upon iV I said.
All this has been so much angry petu
lance, and you are ready to take me by
the hate" to become my friend. No, an;
hear me You do not think of wnt ymr
Uf.; here may be."
"That of a pirate a murderer!" cried
Humphrey, scornfully.
"No," said the buccaneer, flushing once
more. "I am rich. All that can be some
thing of the past. This land is mine,
and here we can raise up a new nation,
for my followers are devoted to tue.
Come! are we to be friends?"
"Friends!" cried Humphrey, scornful
ly "a new nation your people devoted
why, man, I sent for you to warn you!"
"You to warn me?'
"Yes. One of your followers is plot
ting against you. He has been address
ing your men; and if you don't take care
you will be elevated over your people in
a way more lofty than pleasant to the
king of a new nation."
"I understand your sneers, sir," said
the buccaneer, quietly; and there was
more sadness than anger in his tone.
"They are unworthy of the brave man
who has warned me of a coming danger,
and they are from your lips, sir, not from
the heart of the grave adversary I have
vowed to make my friend."
Humphrey winced, for the calm, re
proachful tone ronsed him, and be stood
there frowning as the buccaneer went
aa.
"As to the plotting against me, I am al
ways prepared for that A man in uiy
position makes many enemies. Bvea you
have yours.
"Yes yon," cried Humphrey.
"No; I sm friend. There, I thank yea
far your warning. It is a proof, though
yea do not know It, thst the gsp between
as grows leas. Some day, Captain Arm
strong, you will take my band. We shall
be friends."
Humphrey remained silent as the buc
caneer left the chsmber, and, oace more
alone, the prisoner asked himself If this
wss true that he had really bidden, fare
well .to civilization forever, and this was
to be his home, this strsnge compound of
savage fierceness and gentle friendliness
bla companion ta the end?
CHAPTEH Xir.
Humphrey Armstrong walked oa blind'
ly farther aad further Into the forest, for
he was moved more deeply tbaa ever he
had been staved before. The presence
af this asaa waa baleful to hiss, aad yet
he aaeaui la psssiss aa lalaeace rhat
waa tiaacaMn: aad his soft, deep toaea
a Ma aan aww ne waa away.
Niaai tttvaawr ha ariai, "what aa
end to an officer's career the lieutenaut
of a w reached pirate king! New nation!
Bah! what madness!"
He sat down with bis head resting up
on his band, gazing back along the nar
row path, when, to his horror, just com
ing into view, he saw the figure of the
buccaneer appoaehing, with head bent
and arms crossed over his chest, evident
ly deep in thought.
Humphrey started up and backed away
round a curve before turning, aud walkud
swiftly along the path, locking eagerly
lor a track by which be could avoid an
other eu'-uiiuter, when for the first time
he became aware of the fact that he was
i lithe way leading to an old temple whic h
had be u formed into a uiaiKoletim, and,
unless be should be able to find another
path, bound for the ancient structure.
"Jle riuj73hii the" "door way a"iiltO'ifcetJ
balk.
All was silent and dim as be stooped
and entered, stepping cautiously on, nnd
tln-n, as so"n as well sheltered, turning
to gaze back. Just then the buccaneer
cam? into sight aud walked slowly to
ward the old temple. There was no time
for further hesitation. He must either
boldly n;'! the buccaneer or hide,
lie chose the latter course, stepping
cautiously into one of the recesses behind
a Kitting figure, where be could stand in
complete darkness aud wait till the buc
caneer bad gone.
The latter entered the next moment,
and Humphrey felt half mad with him
self at his spy-like conduct, for as he saw
dimly the figure enter, be heard n low,
piteous moan, and saw bim throw himself
upon his knees beside a draped cull'm, his
hands clasped, and bis frame bending
with emotion, as in a broken voice be
prayed aloud.
His words were incoherent, and but
few of the utterances reached the listen
ing man's ears, as he bit his lips with an
ger, and then listened with wonder at
what seemed a strange revelation of char
acter.
Oh, give me strength!" be murmured.
'I swore revenge on all for the wrongs
for the death loved strength to fight
down this weakness to be self for
strength for strength to live revenge
death." The last word of these agonized utter
ances was still quivering upon the air as
If it had been torn from the speaker's
breast, when the dimly seen doorway was
suddenly darkened and there was a quick
movement.
Humphrey Armstrong's position was
one which enabled him, faint a was the
light, to see everything the draped cof
fin, the kneeling figure bent over it, and
a great crouctung form stealing sottly
behind, as if gathering for a spring.
There was the dull gleam of steel up
lifted by the figure bending over the buc
caneer. Assassination, without doubt.
The moment of peril had come, lightly
as it bad been treated, and. stirred to
the beart by the treachery and horror of
the deed intended. Humphrey sprang
from his place of concealment, struck the
buccaneer's assailant full in the chest,
and they rolled over together on the tem
ple fioord.
Quick, lads, help!" shouted the man
whom Humphrey had seized, and two
compauions rushed in for a general melee
to ensue at terrible disadvantage, for the
assailants were armed with knives and
those they assailed defenseless as to
weapons.
Humphrey knew this to his cost in the
quick struggle which ensued. He bad
writhed round as he struggled with the
would-be murderer, and contrived to get
uppermost, when a keen sense of pain
passing throiieh one of bis arms, made
him loosen his hold for a moment, rud
the next he was dashed back.
He sprang up, though, to seize bis as
sailant, stung by the pain into a fit of sav
age rage, when, as be clasjied an enemy.
be found that it was not his first antago
nist, but a lesser man, with whom he
closed fiercely just as the fellow was
Btriving to get out of the doorway-a pur
pose he effected, dragging Humphrey
with bim.
The passage was darker than the inner
temple, where hoarse panting aud the
sounds of contention were Ktill going on.
oaths, curses and commands uttered in a
savage voice to "Give it bim nw!"
Now strike, you fool! "Curse him, he's
like an eel!" and the like came confus
edly through the doorway, as, smarting
ith pain and grinding bis teeth with
rage, Humphrey struggled on in the pas
sage, savagely uetermiueu to retain tuis
one a prisoner, as be fought to get the
mastery of the knife.
How it all occurred was more than he
could afterward clearly arrange in his
own mind; what be could recall was that
the pain weakened him, and the man
with whom be struggled wrenched his
left arm free, snatched the knife he held
from bis right band, and would have
plunged it into Humphrey's breast had
not the latter struck bim a sharp blow
upward in the face so vigorously that the
knife fell tinkling on the ground, and the
struggle was resumed upon more equal
terms.
It was a matter of less than, a min
ute, during which Humphrey fought Wss
for life than to master bis assailant and
keep him a prisoner. They bad been
down twice, tripping over the stone
strewn pavement, and once Humphrey
had been forced against the wall, but by
a sudden spring be bad driven his oppo
nent backward, and they were strug
gling in the middle of the opening, when
a wild shriek rank out from the inner
temple a cry which seemed to curdle the
young officer's blood and this was fol
lowed by a rush of someone escaping.
His retreat wss only witnessed by one,
for the struggle was continued on the
floor. The two adversaries, locked in a
tight embrace, strove to resch their feet,
and. psnting and weak, Humphrey had
aearly succeeded in so doing, when his
foe forced bim backward, and be fell to
cling to the ragged stonework.
For ss be waa driven back the flooring
seemed to crumble sway beaeath bis
feet; there wss s terrible Jerk, snd be
found himself bssging by ais bands, his
enemy clinging to bim still, snd the
weight upon his muscles seeming as if
it would tear them apsrt. in the hurry
and excitement Humphrey eould hsrdly
comprehend bis position for the moment.
The aext be understood it toa aril, for
the atone which had given way Ml with
a hideous, echoing noise, which came
from a terrible dlstsnce below.
Almost In total darkness, bis bands
cramped Into the interval between two
Busses of broken stone waiea formed
oart of tbe debris of the roof above.
haagiag over a hideous gulf at tbe fall
stretch of bla arms, aad wita bis saver
sarrs hands tied tokwllka la garb aad
areas as ha at rare ta daaraer ap him to
the tear abaee.
atrevt to
grip Humphrey with bis knees snd climb
up. some fragment uf stone rushed down,
; to frill far Ij. ... ,i;;i, spinning aud echo
iug with a repetition of sounds that rob
j bed biut uf sm ii strength as remuined
: to bim, and a dreamy s. million came on
i apace.
I "It is the end," thought Humphrey, for
I his fingers tf'.i us if I hey were yielding,
and in another minute he knew that be
must fall, when the grip noun him in
creased, nnd the man who clung uttered a
hoarse yell for help.
"Quick!" be shrieked. "I'm letting
go!"
I But at that Instant sometiiinis dirk
seemed to come between him n:id the
gleaming wet stone away above him in
the roof, and then there was quite an av.i-
i lauche of sncal) stones gliding by.
"(1 6 be cuhfinu! d 1
WISE AND UNWISE COACHINC.
Puperiortty of the l'.nnlih Method
Over the Auiericun.
The EnglisbiuuD perhaps uti.ler
Stauds belter tUati the American that
In endeavoring to get the best post-i-ble
work out of men In athletic fain
hig, fare must be taken Hot to muke
them nervous. The English "foruli"
talks pleasantly to his men, anil In
toe course of an afternoon ou the river
they get a fairly gool Idea of the re
quired stroke. The American, accoid
lug to John Corbin. the author of "An
American at Oxford," is likely to be
brasque, if not violent He says:
When I tried for tbe freshuuiu crew
la America, I was put, with seven oth
er unfortunates, into a huge clinker
barge, la charge of tbe sophomore cox
swain. On the first day I was told to
mind tbe angle on my oar.
Tbe third day the coxswain wrought
himself Into a fury, and awore at me
for not keeping the proper angle. When
I glanced out at my blade he yelled:
"Kep your eyes in tbe boat!" again
with an oath.
This upset me so that I forgot there
after to keep a flat back at the tiuihli
of the stroke. When we touched tbe
float be jumped out, looked at my
back, brought bis boot against It sliarji
ly, and told me there was no use in
trying to row unless I could hold a
fiat back and swing my body between
my knees.
That night I sat on a dictionary with
my feet against tbe foot-board, ami
tried these Injunctions until my back
seemed torn Into fillets; but It would
not come flat I never went down to
the river again, and It was two years
before I summoned, courage to try au
other sport.
ANNUAL SLAUGHTER
On American Kailroads Exceeds Num
ber of Casualties in Two Wars.
Ia tbe first three months of tbe year
813 persons were killed and U,Ui
wounded by railroad collisions and ac
cidents of all kinds. Of this total W
passengers only were killed aud 820
injured; all tbe rest were railroad em
ployes. This large crop of deaths and wounds
was tbe fruit of 1.220 collisions and 8;iS
derailments. These figures are inaUe
public by tbe Interstate Commerce
Commission. Tbey cover only a quar
ter of a year. Multiplied by four, we
get these us the probable totals for the
full year: Killed, 3,202; wounded, o'J,-
8.S2.
That Is to suy, a larger number of per
sons are killed every year on our rail
roads tbnn were killed In the war with
Great Britain from 1812 to 1815 and
tbe w ar with Mexico from 15-10 to 1KIS
added together, and five times as many
are wounded us were wounded In both
those historic conflicts, Yet if these
figures for 1W2 are not exceeded they
will be a marked Improvement over
thoe for 1'JOO, In wblcb year 7J55 per
sons were killed aud 00.320 wound.!
on United States railroads, which ex
ceeded tbe combined totals of the Union
soldiers killed and wounded In the ter
rific battles of AutieUm, Gettysburg
and tbe Wilderness.
Surely peace bath ber sacrifices no
less shocking than war. Is It not pos
sible to make railroad operation less de
structive of human life and limb? New
x"ork World.
Enthusiasm oT a Dylmr HcHentiM.
The first penguin we met says I'rof.
. E. Borcbcrevlnk, tbe Antarctic ex-
nlorer. In Leslie's Monthly, arrived on
the Hth of Octols-r, 1899. at Cape
Adair. In South Victoria Land, thus
long before tbe Ice bod broken up. I
killed blra at the request of my zoolo
gist, who was dying at the time. The
man knew that bis death was ouly a
question of bours, but he had looked
forward to tbe arrival af the birds, and
tbe news of this first arrival excited
bltn. He begged us to kill and dissect
the bird before him, although he him
self was to follow the bird Into tbe
mystery of death half an hour after
wards, and he knew It He showed the
utmost Interest In tbe operation, and
dictated scientific notes as be watched
It till within fifteen minutes of bis dis
solution.
Dsmbtfal.
"No," aald the capitalist. "1 shall not
Invent 10 yoar InTentlon. I very seri
ously questloa Its practicability and its
I in porta ne."
'For what reason?"
"Because 00 one bas come forward
wltb a claim that you stole it from
him." Washington Star.
Koel Soarr) in Mexico.
One of tbe grestesft drawbacks Is
Mexico la tbe scarcity of fuel. Hones
are placed In tbe probable dlsoovsry of
oil lu paying quantities.
A Nataral Accompaniment.
Oaths were constantly beard In aa
clety In London 100 yoara ago. With
tha Introduction af golf tbey ore agaia
becoming fashionable.
Whan two cata pall off a Orat after
tari they aoratca a wlcn.
The performance was over anil the
proprietor of the dog and pony show
requested the audience to remain a few
moments while be said a few words:
"Now, boys, you have all seen what
u,y dogs can do. Will you be surprised
iviieu I tell you thai some of J'our dog
til n iio thtr-aatne-tliinir? Saw; then,--ir
am coming here again In sU mouths.
If any of you can, by that time, train
a dj,) to stand on its bead, play dead
or dance, I will give bim fifty dollars
for the dog.
"I took notice that you were partial
larly pleased with the little dog that
played tbe part of a policeman. Klgli
teen months ago I bought him from a
little boy. I paid seventy-five dollars
for bim, but now five hundred dollars
coul.l not buy him. Your dog may bo
as easy to train as he was; try it.
"Here are some lillie pamphlets tell
ing you how to care for and traiu dogs;
they are ouly five cents apiece; who'll
buy?" .
The boys of Belltown raised a great
bout when Tom Howen stepped for
vard and handed the man a nickel.
Tom's dog bad the reputation of being
be nearest to a good-for-nothing In
:own; but Tom loved bim and believed
in him when no one else did. He ac
knowlelged that tbe animal was do
hlrd dog, although Its mother had been
a famous setter; neither was he a
watch dog; aud be was mortally afraid
of cats a fault which, all boys know,
places a dog away down below par.
Tom's brother Ned owned a magnifi
cent maltcse, which answered to the
musical name of iluziau. If Tip pos
sessed a pet aversion, it certainly was
this same Muzlau. When the table
scraps were scraped out Into an old
pan, be stood afar off until the mighty
Muzlah ate all the choice bits and ad
,he plainer fare that be could bold.
Then If there were any left he
would be permitted to slink up aud car
ry the remaining bits behind tbe wood
pile. When Tom went home from tbe
show he called Tip, and the two repair
ed to tbe hayloft, where tbe dog was
duly informed of what was in store for
him. A rusty red tall wagged acqui
escence and the training of Tip was
begun.
Tom made a secret bargain with bis
mother, consequently tbe price of a
new pair of pants was lu his pocket
ueit morning. As Tom an 1 Ned start-
i ed for school, Ned w as not long In dis
I covering a good-sized patch ou the seat
of Tom's trousers. "I suy, Tom! what's
up? How came you with those old
breeches on? Didn't father get ycu
any new ones?"
Tom shook his head, ran his band
back over the patched part of bis ap
parel, and said, "Ob, that's all right!
I can't see It, you know." When Tom
reached the playground, he was made
the butt of much good-uatarei fun.
However, the thought of what his
purse contained and Its purpose com
forted bim.
Thereafter, for weeks. Tip was fed
on freh meat In the hayloft, while.
outside, Muzlah whined pitifully. No
one knew excepting Tom and Tip what
went on In that hayloft The mother
had a pretty good Idea; but, you know,
mothers never give you away.
Tom wore patched clothes to school
all winter, and was always on the look
out for small Jobs, whereby he might
earn a nickel, or, perchance, a dime.
Tbe butcher down on the corner got all
of Tom's earnings, and Tip waxel fat
on the best the butcher bad.
At last spring came, aud with It the
dog and pony show. With beating
heart Tom took Tip around to the tent
specified for candidates How relieved
be was when be found that tbe trial
was to be made before no one but the
kind faced professor himself! Tip went
through tbe ordeal right braveiy, and
waa lockel up wltb a porterhouse
i steak, while Tom went In to witness
tha afternoon performance.
After It waa over tbe proprietor an
nounced that be bad bought one Hell
town dog from Master Thomas Bowen.
who would come forward and show
wbat tbe dog could do and then receive
bin fifty dollars.
What an excitement there was
among the boys, as Tom took a seat
I 00 the p'stform and began playing n
lively tune on a French harp. Tbe red
urtalns parted and In rushed Tip. Af
r a gesture from Tom, be raise I bim
elf on bla bind legs and began to
dunce. That waa all; but he did It well.
I How the crowd cheered as Tom pock
eted tba fifty dollars. Then ba went
hind the curtalna wltb Tip to bid
'111 a long farewell.
Tba Flora of Alaska.
Aai siding to report of tba apetlal
gcut ( tba Depart mant of Agricol
I ti ro la rharga of AJaofca torattlftUoat,
TIT IKJitSO TUK DANCK.
1 a tr'.veler may go from one end of th
Yukon to tbe other lu summer without
seeing snow. On tbe other baud, vege
tation, large forests, and wild raspber
ries, red currants, huckleberries and
crauberries will be found m profusion.
Iu places the grass grows as high as a
man's head. There are several places
along the coast, at tbe Sitka and Kenal
experiment stations, and at many
joints in the interior, where practically
all of the cereals of the temperate zone,
moKt of the vegetables, and ft consider
able variety of cultivated flowers hav
bueu grown v. 1th much success f.r sev
eral years. Fine spring wheat hal
been raised at Fitka for three yean
past. At Kiimpurt, sixty-five degreel
north latitude, winter rye smvti lu ih
autumn came out In the spring in per
fect condition, though the temperaturt
fell to seventy degrees below zero in th
winter; the grain matured by Aug. 1.
Barley sown In Hay was ripe by th
middle of August. Oats and potatoes
thrive In many places. Cattle are kep
at every considerable settlement, except
at Nome. The Alaska Commercial Com
pany has for many years kept cattle
sheep, and Angora goats at Kokalk,
they requiring but little food or shelter,
except In an occasional storm during
tbe winter.
JEWS WHO WEAR PIGTAILS.
Hebraic Colony In Chino Who Hav
Forgotten Eico Their Hitnal.
It la not generally known that teera
is a colony of Jews in China Jews
who wear pigtails, bear Chinese names
and speak the Chinese language ex
clusively and who have forgotten tha
God of their fathers and neglected
their ancient ritual of worship until
It has been entirely lost to them. But
there la such a colony, and lu people
have puzzled oriental scbolara fof
many years.
Itecently It bas been established thai
tbey entered Chlua-or, rather, their
progenitors did -about the year 31'J A,
I)., In tbe reign of the Emperor Miugta
1L, und roruu-d a colony about 700
miles from Shanghai, on the Uoaugho,
or Yellow river.
At oue time these Jews were a power
in the land. Their city grew in pop
ulation until Its inhabitants numbered
about 5,000 Jews alone, and tbey be
came so weulthy that they were abla
to loan money to the tfmperor, who so
esteemed them that he built for them
a synagogue. Two of them, whose
names have been lost In the pass.ng
years, wore especially honored by tb
emperor. One he made the treasurer
of a great province and the other was
a general in tbe Imperial army.
In tbe golden days of Judaism In
China they prospered, and when tbeht
magnificent temple wus destroyed bj
fire tbey rebuilt It In greater magulfi
cencc. In a laud where there are many
fine temples theirs was oue of tbe most
splendid. It waa 350 feet long aud 150
feet wide.
To-duy their temple ts a mass of
ruins. Stone by stone, almost, It has
been torn down by those whose tare It
should have been to preserve It The
story, even among tbe heathen. Is thai
tbey forgot tbe worship of their Ood
nnd He forgot them. Tbey grew poor
er and poorer with the advsnc.ng yearn
during which they failed to keep the
Subbuth of their religion and were fin
ally forced to sell all they had for food
Mud cloth Dig. Stoue by stone, almost,
their temple was demolished, to be
sold to builders or other temples aud
bouses; their sacred books were dis
posed of for what money tbey would
bring; tbey bad 110 place for worship,
and gradually their religious rites were
forgotten and even their language so
neglected that It has now become a
mere memory and tbey themselves a
people lost among the hea.hen of the
Orient.
Tbey are ouly a handful now, China
men In all tbut outwardly marks one of
that nation, says the New York Trib
une, except that every one bears tbe
facial characteristics of tbe Jews.
There is a trace of their old rellglos
left, but so very little and so garbled
and mixed wltb the religion of the
Und that only experts can detect it
Pciuc VAt M Mjj.
Young Man Had an Ksccllent Cnann
to Mujr a lloit.
A handsome bachelor of Baltimore,
well known in social and educational
circles, acknowledges the truth of the
followiug story; lis was driving with
a very pretty and attractive young
women, when on tbe outskirts of the
city they met a lad of alout 12 years
leading by a chain a singularly ugly
but finely bred bull terrier. Tbe pretty
girl went Into raptures over the dog,
and her escort determined tbe animal
shot' Id be hers.
"Ssy, sonny," be called, "what will
you take for your dog?"
"Nawthlng," replied tbe lad.
"Nonsense," crlsd Mr. Blank, "here's
$3 for bim."
"No, I won't This here dog ain't fat
sale."
"Ten," aald Mr. Blank, and then,
growing desperate, "fifteen, twenty."
But tbe owner still refused.
All tbe time tbe conversation waa
going on tbe youtb, although talking
to the man In the buggy, kept his eyes
fixed ou the other occupant of Ilia
vehicle, aud at last be said, gravely;
I "I don't want yer money, but If
you'll just give that lady there a klsa
you may have the dog."
Mr. Blank was speechless. He stared
at the boy an Instant and then put
tbe whip to bla borne, starting bim of
at a lun.
Tbe atory goes that a mile waa gone
er without a word being spoke
when aa the borw's rapid gait became:
lower aa It turned dowu t-ountrj
lane tha pretty girl turned a?ar a.
lightly and aald. shyly: "Ohl Mr
Blank, why don't yon buy that daar
1-BoitliOfO laB. '
'-.
A
M iff
Vt,
