The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917, June 19, 1903, Image 6
Children of Du»t. On> cried: "Of the dust were yon made; Cod fashioned you out of the dust: Of earth were you taken and ever Your lust shall be after her lust. “Your soul Is a perishing breath— A flutter tif passionate wind That hovers from shadow to shadow Unpiloted, impotent, blind." Yea. children of wind and of dust. Olod-eumbered encompassed with bars— But the breath Is the breath of God's rapture, Tne dust Is the dust of the stars! Scrap of Carbon Paper If one were looking for a cure for bashfulness, carbon paper would seem an unlikely thing to select. But it wad a piece of this paper which, if it did not oiactly cure John Kendall, at lea -t overcame the effects of his shyness. John's bashfulness was most per nicious, and while it had not retarded his career as a successful manufac turer, in the flourishing tow n of Schuy lervillo, it proved a very embarrassing possession when he was smitten with the tender passion. In the first place. Margaret Little was “an authoress,’’ and that alone was an awe inspiring circumstance. To he able to write stories which met with occasional acceptance; to have the iiostman sometimes bring her thin letters containing checks, and not to be the grinning bearer of bulky pack ages of rejected manuscripts, placed her on a plane above other women— In John's eyes. Not that she needed such placing, for it would be futile to chronicle the angelic qualities with whicn he endowed her. The trouble with this endowment process was that it was not disclosed to Margaret. John could write, and did write, letters teeming with senti ment. Of course, it was unfortunato (hat these letters were never sent. It was more unfortunate that he found himself unable to express in her pres ence the feelings which agitated his six feet of manhood. He had made three attempts a' a proposal, each of which had ended in Rtampiering confusion and dire fail ure, and it is probable that the num ber would have been extended in definitely. had not a rival appeared on the field. Anyone who showed Margaret the slightest attention was a rival in John's view, and it seemed impossible that the editor of a New York maga zine would come fifty miles to Schuy lorville for the sole purpose of con sulting Margaret about a series of stories for bis periodical. If this in nocent purpose brought the editor, something emotionally attractive in Margaret's pretty face must have in duced his reappearance within a month, and it was during this second visit that John spurred himself to ac tion. On a June afternoon he deserted his desk and determinedly strode toward the Little homestead. His courage usually lasted until he passed the front gate, but on this occasion be was sur prised to find It upholding him even after he had reached the veranda. It evaporated when he rang the bell. A maid told him that Miss Little had gone for a walk with a gentleman from New York. This information, comitig as a respite, at first relieved John. Then jealousy renewed his courage, and he boldly said he wished to leave a note for Margaret. In the matter of impassioned mis gives John Kendall was no coward, and he sat at Margaret's little desk and dashed off a few glowing periods on a sheet of her manuscript paper. When the effusion was finished it proved satisfactory, being, in fact, a condensation of the others which he bad left unsent. He folded it neatly, and was reaching into a pigeonhole in W'.y* Dashed off a few glowing periods. the desk for an envelope, when he happened to glance out of the window. Across the orchard came Margaret and the editor. The latter—a small, blonde, handsome man—was walking close beside his contributor, and loo*, ‘og smilingly into her beautiful eye*. I After viewing the scene John was I seized with panic ar the thought of Margaret's reading his note immedi ately. The next instant he was strid ing away from the house, scattering hits of white paper to the June breezes. He did not see Margaret for a week, and during that time deep despair held him for its own. Then an urgent business affair led him to call on her Glanced shyly dcwn at Margaret. father, who was suffering from a slight Illness, anil was unable to leave the house. When the interview with Mr. Little was at an end, and John reached the front door he found Margaret sitting on the veranda. He thought to pass her with a formal greeting, but his intentions usually went astray where she was concerned, and he was soon seated near her in a wide armed ver anda chair. “I am sorry I missed you when yt>u called last week," said Margaret after her father's illness had been discussed. “I'm sorry, too," John replied, men tally condemning the memory of the maid, whom he hoped had forgotten the incident. “The girl said something about you leaving a note,” continued Margaret. “Yes—er—an invitation to a picnic.” John said weakly, "but the affair was postponed.” “Before yon could write the note?" “No; I thought it would be post poned, so l changed my mind." Margaret was looking demurely at a rose hush. “It has been postponed before,” she murmured softly, but her companion did not hear the remark. “John,” she said, in a louder tone, “I suppose it is only in an invitation to a picnic that you would address me as your dearest Margaret.” John Kendall turned slowly, and regarded the object of his affections with bewilderment. lie wondered if any of the torn bits of paper had been picked up and pieced together by Mar garet, but he had scattered them so widely that that seemed impossible. Miss Little, who had transferred her gaze from the rose bush to her lover's face, seemed to enjoy its expression. Then John rocked violently in the veranda chair in the hope that the action would inuuce mental stimula tion, but it did not. Will you come with me for a mo ment?” Margaret asked, rising and entering the house. John followed Iter to her study. There, on the little desk, was the pile of manuscript [taper. Margaret took a note from the bosom of her dress, unfolded it slowly, and handed it to John. "There was a piece of carbon paper among the top sheets,” she said, "and this was tinder it.” and John read an exact copy of the effusion he had ad dressed to Margaret the week before. For a moment he looked helplessly at the note, then he glanced shyly down at Margaret, and the expression he saw in her eyes was entirely unlike that with which ;the had regarded the editor. It seemed to say, "Speak for your self. John," and had the stolid type | writer which stood on the desk risen to the occasion it would .have added another love scene to its long list. In the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Kendall, in Schuylerville, is a den, and on one of its walls hangs a bit of black paper in a gilt frame. When the curious Question John about this paper • he tells them its story, if they are worthy, and if they are unworthy he merely says that it is an impression istic picture of the darkest hour b«i fere dawn.—Bennett Musson in Lvs Angeles Tlrpes. YOUTHS WERE WELl TAUGHT Destined to Govern, They Knew Need of Self-government. A number of years ago Commodore Perry, speaking to the students of An tioch college, Ohio, told the following anecdote, illustrating the perfect dis cipline maintained among the naval cadets of bis time: “Some twenty-five years ago I was carelessly walking on the levee of a city of the Adriatic. A short distance from the shore lay a man-of-war at anchor. I called an oarsman, and told him to return for mfc In an hour. “I wandered aver the beautiful ship, admiring its guns, its keeping, its ad mirable appointments and its excellent management, shown by Its condition At the end of my hour I began to look for my oarsman. Just then 1 discov ered a door on my right. I opened it and in that room sat thirty-two boys. I bad been there an hour and had not heard a stir enough to show that rc much as bird was alive on that boat “The youngest cadet came to the door and welcomed me with his cor dial military salute. ‘Boy, where if your teacher?' 'Gone ashore, sir.’ ‘Dc you keep absolute order while he if gone?' ‘Certainly, sir.' “Then passing to the front, I sail’ to one of the older boys: 'Young man, why do you act so differently from other boys? Are you afraid ol being punished?' “The <adet rose 10 his feet. 'Sir,' said he. ‘you see before you thirty two cadets. We all expect to govern others in our future work. The first element of a good governor is self government; sir, we are practicing that.’ “ The commodore added: "That war twenly-flve years ago. in the provi dence of God none of these young men have bPen calleu to eternity. I will now read you their names." And the audience recognized in each man a name famous in the navy of Great Britain, Germany, Fiance or America. —From “Washington: Its Sights and Insiglfls." The Dog Around Town. Have you ffaslcd to-day. old fellow? Had a sniff of some meat or a bone? Were you gen'rousiy fed upon gravy and broad Hy some one who called you their own? Your riba, sir! Ilow plainly they're show ing! Tour legs seem uncertain and weak! Have you searched every street for a morsel to ent? Are you just a town dog, sir? Come, speak! Were you housed from the snowstorm last night, sir? Did you sleep within some warm bed? Did you bear the wind roar pust the closed stable door While dreams of green Helds filled your head ? Or did you crawl into some alley To curt up and shiver and know The voice of slow death in the wind's icy breath 'Neath your soft, creeping blanket ot snow ? lias any one patted your head, sir? Or noted your great, sunken eye? Have your unkempt ears heard any kind, gentle word From some human friend passing by? Or have folks Just kicked you aside, sir? Why. you're trembling now. where you stand! Have they struck you so much that you quake at my touch And cower at the sight of my hand? It's the way of the world, poor old fel low! Just a struggle tor bread, or a hone: And some of us know how >ou feel when you go To your bed in thp alley, alone! Were you sleek and well cared for and handsome Friends would feed you and love you on sight; Hut it's different, sir. with a poor, lin k less cur. Just a dog around town! There, good night! —Colorado Springs Gazette. vwi odvcu mm. King Robert the Bruce, according to the well-known story, once owed his safety to a spider. Among the Tartars of Central Asia there is a belief that one of their khans or chiefs was pre served, long years ago, by the great hoi ned ow l. He had hidden in a thick et to avoid capture by some enemies. By and by his pursuers eame to this spot. The first thing they saw was an ow l sitting on a, bush. What did this mean? It signified, in their eyes, that this bird would not rest quietly there if any man were lying concealed close by. Theretore they argued that the khan eottld not be there, and so they hurried on to search for him else where. At nightfall the khan made his way to the camp of his men and told them how he had been saved from certain death. His story c aused them ever afterward to look upon the owl with reverence and love. They wore its feathers in their caps as a pledge of victory. Judge Siebecker's Unique Decision. Judge Siebec ker of Wisconsin has displayed Solomon-like wisdom in some of his decisions. Two men ap peared before him. One was a butcher, who claimed that the defendant owed him $U> tor a moat bill. The defend ant. a strikingly thin and gaunt figure, denied the bill. Statements and coun ter-statements followed each other with great tapidity. The lie was passed, hut the constable intervened. “When was this meat purchased which you sold the defendant?” asked the judge. “During the past four w’eeks, your honor,” declared the butcher. “Then 1 decide this case in favor of the defendant." remarked the judge, deliberately, as he serutininzed the emac iated figure before him. “His ap pearance indicates that he has not eaten $10 worth of meat in his life time."—Boston Post. Popularity of the Circus. It has been estimated that no less tnun 25.000.000 people annually attend the circuses of America in one sea > sou. “HENDRIK HUDSON*’ DAY Movement in New York for Magnificent Tri-Centennial Celc^ brat ion of the Discovery of the Hudson River—Proposed Bridge as Fitting Monument. X, XXXXXXXXXX* A wealth of romantic interest sur rounds the proposition that the city of New York and the public generally unite in a magnificent tri-centennial celebration of the discovery of the Hudson river fn 1909. C'apt. George A. White, secretary of the Hudson Tri-Centennial associa tion. said: "Hendrik Hudson's achieve ments entitle him to a fitting monu tncRt, an enduring tribute that will r 7 tun* and It was determined (bat the extreme northwesterly point of Man hattan island, whore the Hudson and the Harlem rivers have their conflu ence, should be selected as the thea ter for the proposed celebrations, and that the bridge should be only a part of the affair. Two small parks, it was considered, should be created, one at each end of the bridge; or, if this be not practicable, that Riverside T up the stream. He occupied the time making drawings of the vicinity. He came to anchor on the 12th, just be low Riverdale—possibly at a point op posite the Spuyten Duyvil, holding friendly intercourse with the natives, who came out in canoes to inspect the big ship and trade with the sail ors. Though born “Henry Hudson.” and presumably in England the navigator 1 be an object lesson to the youth of future generations. If this testi monial can also be made serviceable to the people of this city, so much the better. "A splendid bridge over the Spuy teu Duyvil seems to the committee to be the correct thing. In fact, the members are unanimous in favor of such a form for the monument. At their request engineers have prepar ed a drawing of the proposed bridge, and it has been accepted in so far as the committee has power to act at this early date." An inspection was made of the available sites for the proposed strue* drive should be extended up to and over the span. A naval demonstration on the Hud son is planned as part of the celebra tion. It is believed that not only can the United States govern'nent be in duct'd to send the white squadron here, but that the governments of Holland and England will send naval vessels to join in the affair—these two having an historical connection with the matter peculiarly their own. It is known that Hendrik Hudson dropped anchor in the lower bay on either the 3d or 4th of September. 1009, and that he waited eight days in the upper bay before setting sail J identified himself completely with the Dutch government in this enter prise. He flew the flag of Holland and gave that country its claim to the territory. His enterprise really opened it up to settlement. Within a year of his return to Holland sev eral colonies were on their way to settle on both sides of the great river. “Hendrik Hudson Day” is likely to become a fixture, in the public schools at least, as a result of this move ment to perpetuate the doughty sail or. The legislatures of the various states will be asked to name Sept. 12 as a day for special exercises appro priate to the occasion.—N. Y. Press. ♦♦♦♦ ♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦•♦ »♦♦♦ »•♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ »» ! PROPOSED RAILROAD WILL RUN THROUGH * ♦ TERRITORY FAMED IN BIBLICAL HISTORY i Probably most Americans who have read in the cable dispatches about all the pother that there has been of late over the proimsed Bagdad railway have found themselves little concerned with the enterprise. As a matter of fact, the point al>out the scheme which makes it. most interesting to folk in the United States has been rather lost sight of in the perfervid discussion of the political side of the case. The proposed road is in the region where history began, for, as the ac companying map shows, the Bagdad railway will run straight through the district between the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers, which long have been identified as the original Garden of Eden. Tarsus, the city of St. Paul, and Nineveh, to which Jonah was or dered (now known as Mosul), will be stations on the proposed line. It will run comparatively close to the once mighty city of Babylon, from which King Nebuchadnezzar weut out to lay siege to Jerusalem; but which now something like 122 degrees in the . shade. There is no question whatever that the prospects fo a railway through this historically fascinating region would be decidedly bright could the country only be reclaimed from its present barrenness and made, as it was in Bible times, a land of plenty. And, strangely enough, just at this time comes a famous English engi neer. Sir William Willcocks, who be lieves that it is possible to restore to this birthplace of mankind something j like the marvelous system of canals and waterways which once it pos sessed. and to which all its former richness was due. In those days the Tigris river was dammed at different points, and its waters thus turned into immense irrigation canals which ran through the country. The great est of these canals was such a piece of work as modern constructors never have dreamed of. It was over three hundred miles long and 130 yards I grown. Ho thinks the Tigris could be controlled so that its water supply would never fail. The cost of this gi gantic work would be in the neighbor' hood of $40,000,000, but this practical engineer believes that it would repay the investment richly, creating a new garden of Eden between the Euphra tes and the Tigris.—Los Angelen Times. Try Second Marriage. Statistics gathered by the New York board of health show that widowers of all races, colors and creeds take less kindly to a second dose of single blessedness than do widows. Of the total number of persons seeking the marital state in the standard year the bereaved ones of both sexes made up one-tenth of the list and the widower* outdid the widows to the number of 55G. Since the reports of the board deal solely with indisputable facts and leave debatable theories to the specu lative mind the inquirer has to look lies in ruins In the midst of an arid waste. Further to the north are the remains of Opis—for generations the wealthiest mart of the east; Ctesi pbon. the ancient capital of the Per sian kings, and Cunaxa, where Xeno phon and his army of ten thousand be gan their famous retreat. Tills is the ar.cient Mesopotamia, through which Alexander the Great led his hordes; and as for Bagdad Itself, is it not the fabled city of the "Arabian Nights" in which Haroun al Raschid wandered about incog.? Building the line will be a gigantic and wearisome task, for this once fer tile "land of milk and honey” now is a comparative deser*. baking under the tropical sun. in a normal heat of Route of the Bagdad Railway. wide. The biggest canal in Egypt to- i day is only sixty-five yards across. This great canal, the Nahrwan. and j its fellows gave water to and fertil- 1 ized all this region of Mesopotamia, now supposed to have been the most ■ wealthy and densely settled district ; the world ever has seen. The end of this prosperity came, however, when a < terrific spring freshet destroyed all j this wonderful system. The Tigris i weirs were turned, the river forsook j its old bed and the entire country was j inundated. Ruin followed. Sir William Willcocks believes that j a canal system based on that swept I away would rejuvenate this arid land | and make the soil one In which corn. ' dates, sugar cane and cotton could be elsewhere lor an explanation of the disparity In figures. He finds it la various sources, but the authorities consulted disagree. However, the pre ponderance of testimony indicates tiiat woman, by the sweetness of her dis position, contributes more materially to a man's happiness than he does to iters, and that, having lost one spouse, he is never satisfied until he finds somebody else like her. The First Papermaking. The earliest European paper milhi were at Falriaco. in Italy, in ,.150. The Arabs first brought the secret of paper making to Europe, they themselves having learrad It from Chinese prison ers of war.