JOHN BURT :By FREDERICK UPHAM ADAMS Author of “The Kidnapped Millionaires," “Colonel Monroe's Doctrine,” Etc. COPYRIGHT. 1902, BY Frederick Upham Adams All rights reserved COPYKIGBT, 1903. BT A. J. Dbbxbl Biodlb CHAPTER FOUR—Continued. Jim aimed a blow at John’s head, which was parried. John swung to the chin, and the next instant Jim clenched and both fell eight feet into the water. The pool was d«:ep. and it seemed to Jim as if they never would come to the surface. When he did, and had gasped for breath, a pair of strong hands gripped his neck and he went down again. The w’ater sang in his ears, the world grew black around him. Then it suddenly became light. The cool and splendid air filled his nostrils, and a voice sounded in his ears: ‘V ' «Jug!i,’ or down you go again: * ‘‘E-nough! E-e-e-nough! I’ll quit.” spluttered Jim Blake, throwing his arms about wildly. With one hand firmly gripping Jim Blake’s collar John Burt swam ashore with the other. It was ten minutes before Blake recovered his breath, then they shook hands with the grav ity of trained pugilists. A week later John met Jim and was told of a flogging he had re ceived from his father, who was no torious ns the village drunkard. Thereupon developed in John Burt and James Blake that strong friend ship so frequent betw een boys of con trasting natures. They seemed to have only two traits in common— both were frank and both generous. When Jim Blake was seventeen years old, he decided to run away from home. The two boys talked it over many times. To the scanty hoard in Jim’s possession John Burt added thirty-five dollars—all the money he had saved from sums giv en him at various times by Peter Burt. So, with forty odd dollars in his pocket, and with tears in his handsome eyes, Jim Blake shook hands with John Burt and went out into the world to -j^ek his fortune. ful spot he saw an old man run from the Burt yard and plunge into the wreck. A moment later he saw some thing in the rescuer's hands. A crumpled blue hat above dark curls showed plain in contrast to the white hair of the aged giant, who handled the little figure as if it were a feath- I er. laid it gently by the side of the road, and again darted into the twist ed mass. General Carden breathed a silent prayer. He was a few rods away when Jessie moved slowly, lifted her head and sprang to her feet. • I'm not hurt, papa!” she exclaimed bravely. "I am not hurt a bit. Oh, what has happened?” “Thank God! Thank God!” He caught Jessie in his arms, gazed fondly into her eyes, and tenderly [ embraced her. General Carden turned to the aid of Peter Burt. Tangled in the. harness, a horse was plunging and struggling in an attempt to regain his feet. The other horse was dead, and beneath his shoulder was pinioned the leg of a young man. Blood was trickling down his face, and he lay in the dust of the road, limp and deathlike. His right hand still grasped the bit; his head was near the hoofs of the fran tic animal. “Hold that horse’s head down!” or dered the old man. General Carden threw his weight on the beast’s neck. \ Jessie was hovering near, wringing j her hands in pity and excitement. “When I lift that horse will you < drag my boy's leg from under?” “Yes. sir; oh, hurry, sir!” Crouching down, Peter Burt threw the head of the dead animal across his shoulder. He grasped the trace with one hand and the foreleg with the other. In his prime he had raised twelve hundred pounds, dead wreight. With a hea% e of his massive should ers he raised the forward part of the 1 horse clean from the ground, and Jes ZTWX/Gff,’ OP JXDW7V KOCS GO j4&WV7” Little did these two boys think, as they parted that October afternoon, that their acts and passions and lives would one day be woven by fate into a web of marvelous workmanship. CHAPTER FIVE. The Runaway. Three years elapsed before Jessie Carden returned to the Bishop farm. John Burt was now twenty years old, and had successfully passed the ex amination which admitted him to Harvard. General Carden came with Jessie, delighted with the prospect of a week's rest in old house. General Carden was an enthusias tic horseman. Jessie was still un packing her trunks when her father sent word that the carriage was ready, and that she was to drive with him. A few minutes later they were speeding down the old beach road. They drove for miles along the wind ing. shaded roads. The breeze came cool and salt from the ocean, and the air was fragrant with the breath of summer. A bit of the harness had become unbuckled. Handing the reins to Jes sie. General Carden stepped to the ground to adjust it. His feet had hardly touched the ground when a prowling hunter, a few' rods away, discharged a gun. The report was terrifying, and the affrighted horses leaped ahead. Jessie was thrown vi olently backward, the lines slipping from her hands. General Carden sprang for the horses’ heads—an in stant too late. He caught one glimpse of his daughter’s white face as she swept past him. The agony of years was compressed into the succeeding moments. The frenzied team dashed down the steep grade at appalling speed. At the base of the hill, and almost in front of the Burt farmhouse, was a sharp curve. Then the road skirted the cliffs for a quarter of a mile. Be yond lay a crooked hill, lined with ragged rocks—the most dangerous slope for miles around.” Through the cloud of dust the old soldier saw the team as it passed the .old house. A few rods beyond, a man lightly vaulted a fence and darted towuVds the road. General Carden's eyes were blurred, but he saw a flash of blue and white, as if some , thing had been hurled in front of the maddened team. It clung to the head of the off horse, and was tossed back and forth by the frantic animal. For an instant the figure seemed beneath the hammering hoofs. Could any human being hold fast in such a po sition. At the torn in the road the general distinctly saw a man clinging to the horses’ bits, bruised by the swaying pole—a pigmy who dared check the flight of giants. They swerved sharply at the curve. The oh norse s turn hied, lurched sideways and fell. There Was a crash; the sickening t sound of splintered wood and clinking steel; then a silence, as the d?st lift lagged outlines ;e. neared the fete sie quickly released the pinioned limb of the' motionless young man. The old man gathered the body in his arms, and carried it to a grass plot by the side of the road. He rest ed his gray head for a moment on the young man’s chest, and heard the faint flutter of the heart. In accents which thrilled Jessie Carden he ex claimed: "Hi lives! He lives! Praise God, my boy is not dead!” At that moment Jasper appeared and was dispatched for Dr. Randall. General Carden cut the traces, and the uninjured horse regained his feet. Mrs. Jasper brought a basin of water, and when General Carden joined the silent group Jessie was washing the dust and blood from the white face and imoothing back the curling locks. “Why, it’s John Burt! It's John Burt, papa!” she exclaimed, tears starting to her beautiful eyes. “Will he die, Mr. Burt? Will he die? Oh, papa, is there nothing we can do?” “He will not die, my child,” said the old inan in a clear, calm voice. “It is written that he shall live these many years.” Just as Dr. Randall arrived. John regained consciousness and begged a glass of water. Jessie and her father waited anxiously for the physician’s verdict. The old man appeared first, and though he spoke not, his radiant face told the story. “He is mdly cut and bruised in sev eral plaice', but no bones are broken," said Dr. Randall. Jessie clapped her hands for joy. “He will be up and about in a week.” Jasper was ready with the Burt family carriage; and, leaving a kind ly message for the grandsire, they re turned to the Bishop house. Jessie found that she had a few bruises, but she laughed at her aches, and talked only of the heroism of brave John Burt. The next day she sent him a beautiful bunch of roses, and another each succeding day until word came ! from Dr. Randall that the young man ! was able to sit up and might receive j j visitors. They dro?3 to the farm 1 house and were ushered into tho ' library—John's study-room for seven I years. General Carden advanced and grasped John's hand. “My boy. God bless you! I do not know how to thank you. Jessie, have you nothing j to say to the young man who saved your life?” “I never thought,” said Jessie, placing her hands in his, “that the boy who taught me how to catch crabs would one day save my life. But you know I always told Miss Mal den that you weren't riffraff, and you see I was right!” John looked handsome a* ne lay back in the great arm-chair. “I’m glad I had a chance to bt‘ of service to one I had met before,” be said, as Jessie took a seat beside him; “though I confess I should not recog nize you as the little girl who visited here several years ago. You are a young lady now, and I should hardly dare address you as Jessie, and that's the only name I knew you by In those daya.” .. > j "I am not yet sixteen, and yo« cm call me Jessie until I tell you not to. Can’t he, papa?” “I suppose so,” said General Car den. “She is a spoiled child, Mr. Burt,” turning to the old gentleman, “and I have ceased making rules, lest she should break them.” During the hour which followed, Jessie and John talked of a score of topics, John deftly turning the con versation from the runaway accident. How dainty, yet how healthy, Jessie looked! The July sun had begun its etching of tan. The , slender neck, where the brown tresses protected it, was dazzling, shading away to cheek and brow in blendings of cream, pink and tan, which defied touch of brush or skill of words. The arched eye brows and the dark silken lashes framed eyes which glowed with the smouldering fires of dawning woman hood. The mouth was not too small, and the lips were ruddy as ripe cher ries. And this was the being he had saved from mutilation against the cruel rocks! As he looked at her, heard the rippling music of her voice and felt the subtle inspiration of her presence, the thought came that there was something selfish in his joy and pride. What was it? Is love selfish? CHAPTER SIX. Summer Days. John Burt sprang into his saddle with an ease that showed complete recovery from the runaway accident, anti cantered to Jessie Carden’s side. They waved their hands gaily to Mrs. Bishop, and galloped away under the arching maples that formed an ave nue before the old mansion. It was John’s fourth visit since Jessie’s ar rival, and his suggestion of a rid§ to Hull had been smilingly accepted. An hour later they stood on the heights above Point Allerton. Below, the wide crescent of Nantasket Beach swung to the south and east; within it “crawled the wrinkled sea.” Every foot of ground was hallowed by his tory and legend. From that point their ancestors w'atched the Chesa peake as she sailed proudly out to fight the Shannon; there they had wept when they learned that the brave Lawrence had gone to his death shouting encouragement to his crew. Thence Captain John Smith first sighted the harbor. The red warriors of King Philip camped where they stood. A short distance away the Mary and John had anchored with her freight of pioneers. A mile to the north stood Boston Light, and they pictured Lord Howe’s fleet sail ing past it, swelling disdainfully out to sea. (To be continued.) GAVE UP HER MEAL TICKET. Comical Mistake Made by Woman in New York Theater. At a recent matinee in a New York theater a middle-aged woman bought a single ticket for the gallery, and mounted the stairs to the upper part of the house, says the New York Times. She handed to the ticket tak er at the gallery entrance a check of the size and shape of the gallery tick ets. which gave no coupons attached. He dropped it into the box. and the little woman hurried to find a good seat. The first act had been on but a lit tle while when the woman hurried, almost out of breath, to the ticket taker and cried: “Let me have my ticket, please!” “What?” “The ticket I gave you. Let me have it again!” “But it’s in the box, locked up,” re plied the man. coldly. “Oh. dear me! Oh, dear me!” the little woman wailed. “What’s the matter?” asked the man, growing very slightly sympa thetic. “I gave you the wrong ticket,” she said, weeping. "Here—here’s yours.” And she drew from her handbag the ticket that should have been taken up. “But what was the other one?” de manded the man in astonishment. “It was my meal ticket,” she sobbed, “and I can’t eat.” The little woman would not go back to her seat until she had been assured by the man that she should have her mea'l ticket, which she afterward re covered. Gen. Wheeler and Peaches. A Michigan officer in the Spanish war had a negro attendant whose ideas of military discipline were strict. Owing especially to the thiev ing proclivities of some of the Cuban hangers-on. he was under strict com mand not to let anything go from the officers’ quarters without a personal order from him. One evening, as the officer and Gen. Wheeler met some distance from the camp the general said, with a smack of his lips: “I hear, sir, that you received some very fine brandied peaches from home.” “Yes, General, they're prime, and I'm going to send you some. Mean time you had better stop at my tent on the way in and have my man give you a can.” When the officer reached his quar ters he was approached by his at tendant with an elaborate salute, who said: , “Did you tell dat Gen’l Wheelah, sah, dat he could call heah, sah, and nrocu’ a can ob dem brandied peaches, sah?” “Yes; of course, you gave' them to him?” “No, sah; I knows my duties, sah. I done tole Gen’l Wheelah dat all men look alike to me, sah, an’ if he didn’t bab no ordah he couldn’t hab no peaches, sah, ’less he oba-come me by powah of supeiah numbers, sah.” “Why, you black rascal, what did he say?” “He jes’ grin and bo’ It, sah.” Traveling Together. “Where’s that dude hunter?” “Oh, be left me to go after a bear.” “When’s he coming back?” “Whenever the bear does.” Not a Shopper. She—She’s very mannish, isn't she? | He—Yes, Indeed. Sbe can’t force he* way through a crowd at alL— [ Philadelphia Ledger. * i ' . ' - ' STORY OF A SONG. Circumstances Under Which the “Three Fishers” Was Written. Charles Kingsley wrote the “Three Fishers” as a result of the many sad sights he had seen at Clovelly. One day of horror in particular lived in his memory, a day as he described it. “when the old bay lay darkened with the gray columns of the water spouts, stalking across the waves before the northern gale; and the tiny herring beats fleeing from their nets right for the breakers, hoping more mercy even from those iron walls of rock than from the pitiless howling waste of spray behind them; and that merry beach beside the town covered with shrieking women and old men, casting themselves on the pebbles, in fruit less agonies of prayer, as corpse after corpse swept up at the feet of wife and child, till in one case alone a single dawn saw upward of sixty widows and orphans weeping over those who had gone out the night be fore in the fullness of strength and courage.” These scenes lived ever in his mind. But the “Three Fishers” was writ ten as a result of one of the strangest incidents in the stormy career of the preacher-author. In 1851 he preached a sermon in a London church on “The Message of the Church to the Labor ing Man.” At its close the vicar rose and denounced him. Bishop Blomfield forbade Kingsley to preach again in his diocese, until, having read the sermon and seen its author, he with drew the edict. The same night upon which he delivered his discourse Kingsley went to his home weary. There had nearly been a riot in the church. Sick at heart, he retired to his study. When he reappeared he handed to his family his immortal song; “as though it were the out come of it ay,” as his wife said. HIS WAY TO OUTWIT THE DEVIL. Preacher's Opinion on Prepared and Extemporaneous Sermons. Apropos of the question of the best way to prepare a sermon Rev. G. Campbell Morgan, the great Eng lish evangelist, is credited with hav ing told the following story to a class of Bible students at the McCormick Seminary: “An aspiring young curate once ask ed an old preacher if it were better to write out a sermon or to preach ex temporaneously. The venerable clergy man, who was noted for his rambling discourses, replied: ‘My son. never write out your sermon, for the devil will be surx* to look over your shoulder and get warning beforehand. Now, when I preach the devil himself could not tell what I am going to say.’ ” This remark was almost as sophisti cated as that of the old darky Dr. Thomas used to tell about, who was asked to explain the difference be tween a preacher and an exhorter. “A preacher,” said the son of Ham, “has to stick to his text, but the ex horter can branch. A Horse Which Thought. Instances of great intelligence in horses are almost as numerous as the horses themselves, but there are few which make prettier stories than this, related in La Nature by a Par isian. At Vincennes, in my childhood, he writes, my father had two spirited horses of fine blood. One day while one of them, Prunelle, was passing between two walls with my little sis ter on her back, the child slipped and rolled between the horse's feet. Prunelle stopped instantly and held one hind foot in air. She seemed to fear to lower that foot lest she should step on the child- There was no room for the horse to turn nor for a man to pass in. In that uncomfortable position, with lifted foot, however, the horse stood patiently while an attendant crawled between her forefeet and rescued the child—Montreal Herald. Not Guilty. “A friend of mine keeps a hotel out in Ohio.” said Representative Beid Ier, “and the last time I saw him he had a tale of hard luck that made me pause and consider. “He had a good hotel, and to cinch this idea with his patrons he put up a sign. ‘A week’s board free if you can beat this hotel at a dollar a day.' “A chap came along and staid for two days. Then he left by way of the window without paying his bill. He was captured in the next town, brought back and placed on trial be fore the justice of the peace.. “The justice heard the case, and decided that the man was not guilty, as he had certainly beaten the hotel for two days’ entertainment. Then he shooed the man out of town, and w'ent around to the hotel and collect ed the week's board for himself."— New York World. Agreed With the Doctor. A new variation of a good old story is making the rounds of the British papers. It runs like this: The coroner had directed the jury to find a verdict of felo-de-se. “Well, chaps, said the foreman of the jury, when they had retired to consider the verdict, “it appears to me that thi3 'ere chap shot 'isself with a gun, after shootin’ another chap with a gun, but Dr. Jones, the coroner, who we all know and 'ighly respect, ’e says that this ’ere chap fell in the sea. Weil, it ain't for the likes of us to go arguin’ the point with the doctor, for ’e knows more about it than we do. So, I propose we find a verdict of found drowned”—and they did. Adds to Already Generous Gift. Rev. John L. Scudder, pastor of the First Congregational church of Jersey City, announces that Joseph Millbank, Ihe New York banker and broker, who last summei gave $100,000 for the erection of a parish building to be known as the people’s palace, had added $50,00 to the gift. -"W 1 Mexican Filibuster Dead. Dr. J. C. C. Hill, who died recently at Monterey, Mex., went Into Mexico from die United States more than fifty years ago with an invading filibuster ing expedition. He had held before hU death important offices under Presi *•"* Dias. < * ■ ’ _ A Fair Offer. “Tommy.” said the economical mother to the boy with the loose tooth. “Ml give you ten cents if you’ll let me pull that tooth.” The boy thought it over and then went to his bank. “The fun of doin’ that is worth more’n ten cents,” lie said. “I’ll give •ju fifteen if you’ll let me pull one of yours.” How He Looked at It. “Yes,” said the author, "I got seven letters complimenting me on that one short story.” “That must have made you feel proud.” “It didn’t.” “What did it do?” “Why, it only made me feel that 1 didn't get enough lor it when I sold ! it.” REVERSED. He—Whe nhe proposed he threw himself at her feet. She—And now that they’re married she throw's bric-a-brac at his head. The Joke Stays, Umbrella Goes. “Sir!” exclaimed the injured party, “you stuck your umbrella in my eye.” “Oh, no,” replied the cheerful of fender, “you are mistaken.” “Mistaken?” demanded the Irate man. ‘You idiot! I know when my eye is hurt, I guess.” ‘Doubtless,” replied the cheerful chap, “but you don't know my um brella. I borrowed this one from a friend to-day!” Embarrassing. A superintendent of a Sunday school relates the following true incident: The title of the lesson was, “The rich young man,” and the golden text, “One thing thou lackest.” A lady teacher in the primary class asked a little tot to repeat the two, and, looking earnestly in the teacher’s face, the child unblushingly told her, ■ One thing thou lackest—a rich young man.” Working Up to It. Tom—I called on Miss Eisberg yes terday. Dick—What! That Boston girl? Goodness! I shouldn't think it would be any pleasure to call on her; she's so frigid. Tom—Well. I do it occasionally be cause it makes me feel so good to say gv. i-by to her.—Philadelphia Ledger. His Busy Geason. Kind Lady—Why didn't you learn a trade when you were young? Plodding Pete—'Cause I’m er geolo gist by profession, ma'am. Kind Lady—And don't you work at it? Plodding Pete—Only when de judge sends me to de rock pile, ma'am. What He Is Giving Up. “Are you giving up anything during Lent?” “Yes.” “What?” “All my change every Sunday morn ing to help the children make their Sunday school pledges good.” A Suggestion. Clerk (at the telephone)—What's the matter, sir? Employer—Why, if you can holler that loud into the telephone you might as well go out into the street and hol ler over at the man.—Detroit Free Press. Willing to Compromise. “What have you to say?” asked the irate Mrs. Jaggs, as the other half of the combine stumbled up the stairs at 2 a. m. “M’dear,” answered Jaggs. “I (hie) won’t say nothin’ if you (hie) won't.” Something to Mow. “I wonder if they produce hay in the arctic fields?” said the hallroom boarder. “I don’t know whether they call it hay or not,” replied the cheerful idiot, “but it’s something the Eskimos.” Other Side of It. “When women get their rights,” said Miss Strongmind, "there will be less foolish lovemaking.” “That's all right,” responded Mr. Masherton, “there won’t be a girl left worth spooning over.” Why She Objected. “I suppose, my dear,” said old Moneybags, "that you object to my us ing tobacco because it is a poison.” "Yes,” replied his young wife; "be cause it is—er—such a slow poison.” It All Depends. “They tell me,” said the youth, “that men who work live longest. Do you believe it?” , “Well,” replied the sage, “it de pends a good deal on who they try to work.” Slight Mistake. Shopper (In department store)— “Isn't it rather early to have those mosquito nets on sale? Saleslady*-Beg pardon, but those aro boarding-house blankets. A Great Composer. ‘ It was a mistake to ask that man if he thought America would ever pro duce a great composer. I am afraid you hurt his feelings.” "I don’t see why.” responded the musical young woman. “He is the inventor of a soothing syrup.” A Bright Outlook. ^ ill you father give his consent?” asked the lover. “Well, if father won't mother will.” replied the girl. “They never agree on anything, so we're sure to get the consent of one, and that is enough.” Safety Appliance. Husband—Why did you want a speaking tube from the dining-room to the kitchen? Wife—So I can give the cook or ders without having her throw dishes at me. Sympathetic. Si Oatcake—“Tew bad erbout Corn tassel losin’ his wife, wusn't it?” Hi Harix—“Gosh, yes! And after him havin' ter winter her, tew.” The Exception. She—Do you believe it is true that ali the world loves a lover? He—No; not since I had an inter riew with your father. TOO BAD. : ’ r ' • v “Mr. Smith had a hard time to get his daughters off his hands." “Yes, and now I hear he has to keep their husbands on their feet." As Defined. “Say, pa,” queried little Johnnie Bumpernickie, “what's a light-weight boxer?” “A light-weight boxer, my son. is a man engaged in crating strawber ries,” replied the old gentleman. Then or Never. Miss Willing—Should a girl allow her fiance to kiss her before they are married? Mrs. Wedderly—Well, if she wants him to kiss her at all she should. Forcing the Issue. •-Your milk isn’t as rich as it used tc be,” protested Mrs. Slopay. “Neither am I.” replied the milk man. “By the way, here’s a statement of your account for the past six months.” Self-Protection. Salesman—Well, the old man fired two more clerks to-day. Floor Walker—Say, if this thing keeps up you fellows will have to take out fire insurance policies. Still Unsettled. Fred—Were you at the wedding of young Softun and Miss Leaderer? Joe—Yes; it quite a swell affair Fred—Who was the best man? Joe As the honeymoon isn't over. I hardly think it is settled yet. Lovesick, Perhaps. Smithiuski—I notice Dr. Singleton has been calling at the home of that young widow almost every day for a week. She must be pretty sick. Brownovlch—Not sick; only pretty. Feminine Amenities. Mrs. Neurich—I am going on a slumming expedition with some friends to-morrow. Mrs. Hammerton—Inded! I hope you will find your relatives enjoying good health. Gave Himself Away. Diggs—Your friend Brieflefgh isn’t much of a lawyer, is he? • Biggs—Why do you think he isn’t'’ Diggs Ob. I just heard him say. that talk was cheap. The Queer Part. “He's got the queerest way o’ drinkin’ his coffee,” said the Chica goan. "Out of his saucer, I suppose,” re marked Gotham. “Of course, but I say he does it in a queer way. He holds his thumb un derneath and his four fingers on tht top of the rim.”—Philadelphia Press His Curiosity. “Does your wife work hard?” "Well, she seems to, but I’ve always been curious to know what she does when I’m not home.” "Why?” “Because when I am home she dusts every blamed room that I get comfort able in, and I can’t think what there is left to keep her busy.” Constancy. Mrs. Nutting—You don’t care for me any longer; you only married me for my money. Mr. Nutting—Don’t talk nonsense. My love has never wavered for an in stant; I think just as much of your money as ever I did.—Boston Tran script. Forced Upon Him. Cronnick—He’s one of the most stu pid bores I ever met. Jenks—And yet he has accumulated money. Fortune seems to have knock ed at his door. Cronnick—I don’t believe it. She most have broken right in.—Exchange. Knowledge Coming. “He’s had a fortune left to him sud denly. He has actually got more money nowr than he knows what to do with.” “Never mind; there are certain peo pie who will be anxious to meet him now, and after that he’ll know more.’ What He Talks Through. Milkins—What’s Windig’s number Bifkins? Bifkins—Five and three-eighths. Mifkins—Why, there aren’t any fractional numbers- in the telephont book. Bifkins—Oh, I thought you meant his hat. How It Happened. “Fortune, you know, knocks at every man's door once.” “That explains it.” “Explains what?" “How we came to miss her. Why in thunder doesn’t she ring the bell'. We never pay any attention tc knocks.” He Was Real Rude. “Yes,” admitted Miss Passay, “I shall celebrate the twenty-third anni versary of my birth in the near fu ture.” “Indeed!” retorted Mr. Hammer leign. "And were you born on Feb. 29*” More Value. Freddy—“Gussie Sapp says he has a coat-of-arms.” Charley—“What good is that? Why, I have a coat-of-cloth.”