k
CHAPTER XXVI.
Incriminating Dispatches.
She had been arranging the papers
deftly in some sort of order.
“You read French, 1 think? The let
ter of Ferdinand is in that language;
Sir Mortimer’s notes and answers are,
of course, in English.”
I drew toward me the first of the
papers she indicated.
"You are nothing if not modern in
your methods,” I scoffed, glancing
down the page. ‘‘Your safes and
typewriters bring back to me the asso
ciations of my hanking lifisiness. And
a banker, let me warn you, scans the
signature of a draft carefully before
he cashes it.”
“The typewriter is an amusing little
instrument,” she yawned, “and I am
proud of my success in mastering it.
As for the safe, if you have been a
banker, you know that the combina
tion is carefully guarded, M. Coward.”
It gave her the cruelest delight to
taunt me with the shameful word. Dur
ing the next half hour she insulted me
so at least half a dozen times. I bent
my attention on the paper before me.
1 I translate roughly Ferdinand's let
ter:
“(Strictly confidential.)
“Hotel du Rhin,
“Place Vendome, Paris.
“May 23.
“My Dear Sir Mortimer;
“I expect to start for Sofia via Vien
na and Budapest in about a week; I
trust I shall see you at the Palace
shortly after my arrival. Meanwhile
let me urge on you once more that
you exert without further delay your
great influence with your Foreign Of
fice, that your ministers may be con
vinced that the crisis has come—the
opportunity we have so long awaited.
Now or never I must lead my army to
the succor of the distressed people of
Macedonia. I think that the profound
knowledge you have always shown of
affairs in the Balkan Peninsula must
make you realize the truth of this
statement. It is useless for me to re
peat my arguments. For what you
have done I thank you. But it is not
to the diplomatist i am now speaking,
but to the man. 1 have written this
letter with my own hand, for reasons
that you will understand.
“Believe me, my oear Sir Mortimer,
“Faithfully yours,
“Ferdinand.”
I see nothing incriminating in this
letter,” I said, "nor anything out of
the usual run of letters.
“You will notice on the back of the
letter this brief statement: ‘Answered,
June 3d, M. B.’ As to the answer of
the letter it is equally innocent. It is
simply the guarded reply of a diplo
matist dealing with a delicate topic.
In these typewritten copies this letter
and its answer are meaningless. The
originals are simply useful to prove
the authenticity of Sir Mortimer's
handwriting.”
I scanned the answer. It was not an
exact copy, but the substance of Sir
Mortimer's letter jotted down to re
fresh his memory:
“I replied in substance as follows: It
was useless to bring up the matter
again; my personal wishes would not
be sufficient to change the programme
of the Foreign Office; at present I did
not see my way clear to advocate as
a diplomatist England's espousal of
this cause; I would continue to lay the
matter before the Foreign Office; more
than that, when events justified the
act, I would see that such influence as
I possessed was exerted in the man
ner Prince Ferdinanl wished; but at
present I could offer no encourage
ment”
(Note concerning the above, also in
Sir Mortimer’s handwriting.)
“This reply will put an end, I think,
to further correspondence in that quar
ter. Certainly, the hopes of the nation
seem so radically devirgent from those
of the ruler that I can favor one only
at the expense of the other. Natur
ally, I prefer to favor the party that
promises the most for my own inter
ests”
“I told you that the originals are
particularly useful to identify the
handwriting and signature of Sir Mor
timer. But observe, monsieur, the ex
pression: ‘Naturally, I prefer to favor
the party that promises the most for
4 my own interests.' That sentence is
to be remembered when you read the
other letters. It has its significance.”
Again she stretched out her hand to
receive the papers 1 had read. I did
not relinquish them, however. I laid
them carelessly on my knee as if to
refer to them later.
lhat remains to be proved,” I said
grimly. “The expression seems simple
enough to me; on the face of it it
would mean simply that Sir Morti
mer's interests were identical with
the interests of England.”
“We shall see,” she returned with
confidence. “The papers of the second
envelope, which I have called Docu
ments B, are all in English. The
writer was evidently an educated Bui
gar of the official class; many of this
class are trained at Roberts College,
and speak and write English fluently.”
“Sofia, Headquarters of the Society of
Freedom.
“To His Excellency, Sir Mortimer
Brett, Minister plenipotentiary and
Consul General to His Britannic Ma
jesty at the Court of Sofia;
“Sir: We of the Society of Freedom
wait patiently and anxiously for your
Excellency’s answer to our humble
petition. We trust your Excellency
does not ignore this petition because
the signatures of the petitioners are
j, not added thereto. Surely your Ex
cellency understands that the dictates
of prudence make it Inevitable that it
is Bent to you anonymously.
“Your Excellency must be familiar
with our greivances. Our present
ruler cannot and will not be longer
tolerated by his subjects. We fear
the British Foreign Office, however,
does not realize the extent of Prince
Ferdinand's unpopularity. Even if
your ministers care nothing for that,
do they feel no cqpcern that he is the
tool of Russia?
“He has asked Russia repeatedly
that he be recognized a King, and that
he receive that title. His vanity is
such that he would sacrifice the free
dom of his people to be on equal terms
with the sovereigns of Servia and
Roumania.
“Once more, perhaps for the last
time, we petition your Excellency to
exert the extraordinary influence your
Excellency possesses, that the English
Minister be advised in time. The gov
ernment of Prince Ferdinand must
fall. We do not desire bloodshed.
There shall be none, we swear it, if
England will support the insurgent
party. But in any case Bulgaria must
be free.
“We do not ask for the active aid
of England. We beg that England
shall not interfere with the ambitions
of the people.
“Your Excellency shall have no rea
son to regret being our friend And
there are other means of rewarding
friendship besides empty words of
gratitude. Let your Excellency once
assure us of you intention to support
our cause, and we shall make this
more clear.
“Your Excellency knows the man
I Tore Them to Aton
ner in which your answer may be con
veyed to this society.
“With profound expressions of re
spect, we submit ourselves.
“The Committee of the Society of
Freedom."
I placed this letter on my knee with
the others I had read.
“This Society of Freedom, is it con
cerned with the trick of the death
mask stamp?”
“I fear so,” she answered in a low
voice.
"Then has the fact no significance
for you that Dr. Starva received a let
ter with one of those stamps on the
envelope last night? These stamps
are proscribed. They could be sent
through the mail only because certain
of the postal authorities were in sym
pathy with the revolutionaries. Let
ters with these stamps, it is safe to
infer, would be sent only to those who
are equally in sympathy. Dr. Starva
must b# favorable to this party, if he
is not actually one of the committee.
1 warned you last night that there was
treachery in the camp.”
“If Dr. Starva has proved to be a
traitor to the cause he will receive his
punishment. The memorandum of
Sir Mortimer’s reply to the letter you
have just read is pinned on the back of
the sheet. Read it,” she commanded
harshly.
« is a perplexing anemma tnat has
confronted- me. To keep my honor as
a minister intact, and yet not to sac
rifice nry own personal hopes. I thirik
this is the first temptation of my dip
lomatic career I have fulfilled my
diplomatic duties hitherto as a ma
chine, that neither thinks nor feels.
Now I find that I am human; that I
am a man, with a man's weaknesses.
I say I am tempted. I believe that
lofty principles actuate Bulgaria. That,
I say to myself, is my excuse. But
lofty principles are not sufficient I
disguised my true feeling in answer
ing this letter by vague objections.* I
confessed my self in sympathy with
Bulgaria's cause; but I protested that
more potent arguments must be used
to convince me. The interests of
England are my own; but it it could
be done without too great a risk, I be
lieve, God help me, I would further my
own ahibitions at her expense. I say
1 am tempted.”
“I say I am tempted;- ‘Tf it could
be done without too great risk, I be
lieve,- God help me, I would further
my own ambitious at her expense”—
such expressions were hideously sig
nificant. But I met calmly the male
volent triumph of Madame de Varnier.
"When you read the next letter,”
she said, watching me closely, “you
will understand the meaning of the
expression, 'There are other means of
rewarding friendship besides empty
words of gratitude.’ Even so stanch an
advocate of Sir Mortimer’s honor as
yourself must realize that in the
words you have just read, he was en
deavoring to discover just what that
vague pr.omise meant.”
I received the next letter in silence.
“To His Excellency, etc.:
"Our answer to your Excellency's
kind letfer wishes to make this fact
clear: The people of Bulgaria pledge
their word, through this committee,
that if England gives to the insurgent
party is support in overthrowing the
rule of Ferdinand, the relation of Eng
land to Bulgaria shall be similar to
that which exists between Egypt and
England.
"The Society of Freedom is fully
aware that your Excellency’s incon
venience and labor must be recom
pensed. The sum of £20.000 is al
ready placed in the Ottoman bank,
payable to your Excellency on de
mand.”
(Note by Sir Mortimer pinned to the
above letter.)
“To this 1 replied that the sum men
tioned was too ludicrously small to be
considered. Only the most substan
tial guarantee could justify me in tak-.
ing the risks involved.”
(Third letter to Sir Mortimer from
the society.)
“To His Excellency. Etc.:
“The sum of £50,000 has been
placed in the Ottoman bank to your
Excellency's account. The society
trusts that this sum will be sufficient
to justify the risks. Will your Excel
lency give his answer without delay?”
(Note by Sir Mortimer pinned to
the above letter.)
“I have taken the step. It is too late
to ask myself now whether I have
been indiscreet. If I have consulted
my own wishes, if I have furthered
my own plans, I feel that I am justified
-
is Before Her Eyes.
morally. I am helping an oppressed
people gam their liberty. My own
recompense is meager enough. If the
Foreign Office should probe the blat
ter, and discover the extent of my in
discretion, my diplomatic career will
be ended. But I am content to do a
little evil that good may come."
I crushed the paper in my hand,
sick at heart. I shuddered at the
hypocritical comfort this guilty man
had hugged to his breast. I had hoped
against hope. But if they were true
copies, I could no longer doubt that
Sir Mortimer had stooped to the tak
ing of bribes.
“And these documents are word for
word copies of those in the safe?” I
demanded gloomily.
“I swear it by every oath I hold sa
cred!” she replied without hesitation,
and kissed the jeweled cross that hung
about her neck.
She stretched out her hand for the
papers. I tore them to atoms before
her eye*.
For a moment she struggled to res
Where Mankind Is King
Gift of Speech Puts Him in a Class by
Himself.
The gift, of speech is the last proof
of Divine favor, in virtue of which
•mankind has the rest of the animal
kingdom faded, and stands in a class
4>y himeelf.
Some beasts are stronger than men,
and some know moie, but no beast
can be such a bore as a man, nor can
any beast slop over, in the true sense
of the term. These distinctions we
owe to the gift of speech.
The gift of speech, moreover, lays us
under compulsion to read a great
many things which otherwise we
would not, in order that when we
have nothing to say, we may neverthe
less say something. Thus we promote
the publishing business, create a de
mand for wood pulp, assist in the de
forestation of the earth’s surface, stir
up a new school of kickers, increase
discontent and contribute, at length,
to progress and petulance.
Our ancestors used to consider
speech a means of concealing thought,
but we have nothing to conceal.—
Puck.
Shingle Currency.
The records of the squire's court at
Blaine, Whatcom county, Washington,
a little town near the British Colum
bia line, bear testimony to the finan
cial stringency of the early '90s. What
com county is in the heart of the lum
ber country, and as there was no
money to be had, "shingle scrip” be
came the currency of the land.
The court records show that John
Smith was "fined 10,000 shingles for
drunkenness." The books show fur
ther that the fine was paid. It was
an able judge who could so accommo
date the law to prevailing conditions.
Paying for Speed.
“It costs more to live than it used
to,” remarked the economist.
“Yes,” answered the energetic man,
“but think of how much more business
you can transact in a given time and
the corresponding results you can get
ont of life.”
cue them from my grasp. When she
saw that it was too late, she laughed
boisterously—a laughter that showed
at once contempt, defiance and tri
umph.
"Bravo!” She clapped her hands
dersively. "You take your precau
tions. You are desperate. Protest as
you will, you are convinced of Sir Mor
timer's guilt.”
"You are mistaken,” I replied cool
ly. “But even if these papers are true
copies of genuine documents, it is as
well that even the copies be destroyed.
If they are forgeries, and you have yet
to prove to me they are not, they are
dangerous toys, and so better de
stroyed.”
“Another copy is easily made, so
long as 1 have the combination of my
safe, M. Coward.”
“You are never weary of insulting
me," I said indifferently. “But be sure
of this, you will find I am not coward
enough to yield weakly to your scheme
of blackmail.”
“No; you are so brave that you
leave a helpless girl to bear the dis
grace of her dead brother, when by a
word you might save her the suffer
ing. Your pretended honor is so pre
cious to you that you scorn to aid the
woman whom you love.”
"Silence, woman!” 1 cried passion
ately. “Do you think I am convinced
of Sir Mortimer's guilt because of
these flimsy typewritten copies? You
must let me see the papers in the
safe.”
if von are desperate enough to de
stroy a copy, I should scarcely trust
you with the original. For the last
time, must the woman you love know
of her brother’s disgrace? I am in
your power; perhaps you hope that I
shall be coaxed into opening the safe.
Or are you about to compel me?"
“I should have resorted to that
measure long ago had I thought it
would prove effectual. It seems that
there is again a deadlock between us.
I refuse absolutely, not only to help
you, but to believe that Sir Mortimer
is guilty." ‘
‘if I show the papers in the safe to
Helena Brett, even she must believe
the evidence of her eyes. Shall I call
her and ask her if she recognizes her
brother’s handwriting? If you believe
so strongly as you profess that Sir
Mortimer was innocent of wrong-do
ing, you w'lll not refuse that.”
‘‘I would spare her even the thought
of its possibility,” I said sternly.
‘‘That is impossible. She shall see
those papers—if not to-day, to-morrow,
the next day; it makes little difference
to me."
“ ’Sufficient unto the day is the evil
thereof,’” I quoted flippantly; but I
began to think it inevitable that
Helena Brett be summoned.
"Again we must compromise it ap
pears. I will call Sir Mortimer's sister
here. She shall see the papers—de
cide for herself and for you whether
they are genuine. You see. I am
strong enough to prevent a woman
from destroying the originals as you
■ have destroyed the copies.”
"And when she has seen those pa
pers?” I asked thoughtfully. ‘‘Sav
even that she herself believes them
genuine? What then?”
“It will be for her to decide. Per
haps she will refuse to ask you to do
what I wish. Perhaps she will offer
to you happiness if you consent. She
shall be the one to decide. You pro
fess to believe that Sir Mortimer is
innocent. More than that, you think
her soul so white that she will refuse,
even if she believes her brother guilty,
to rescue his memory from dishonor
with dishonor.”
She had put into words my own
thought.
“We will let her decide,” I said
quietly.
CHAPTER XXVII.
The Two Women.
“And am I again to shout my com
mands to my servant through the
closed door?" asked Madame de Var
nier ironically.
I unlocked the door of the staircase
in silence, taking the precaution, how
ever, of not admitting Alphonse.
“Has Miss Brett come to the cha
teau as I wished?" Madame de Var
nier spoke naturally through the half
opened door, not betraying my pres
ence behind it.
“She is waiting In the muBlc room,
madam.”
"Bring her here.”
“I shall do as madam wishes. But
this American, this man we called his
Excellency—he surprised me just now
—has he intruded on madam or—”
“He came here to keep an appoint
ment with me," Madame de Varnier
replied composedly, cutting short his
agitated whisper.
“Ah, that is well."
Alphonse sighed his relief, and de
parted on his errand.
“What inducement can you have of
fered that she should come boldly to
this CaBtle of Despair?”
“Is not the inducement great that
she is to see a loved brother?”
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
^——————
Spain's Royal Infant
<fk
First portrait of King Alphonso’s son and heir, the Prince of Asturias
shown in the arms of the Countess of Puerto; the new crown prince is thriv
ing wonderfully and is said by the court physician to be in perfect health.
The baby is gaining in weight rapidly and has developed in intelligence to
such an extent that he recognizes his parents and prefers their society, on
the rare occasions when state affairs do not take them away from him. In
spite of the fact that he is attended by a corps of nurses the royal infant is in
no danger of being spoiled, and is already being taught that he cannot have his
own way simply by crying for what he wishes.
TONGUE TIED BY WRIT.
LANDLORD OBTAINS INJUNCTION
AGAINST WOMAN.
Man Has Troublesome Tenant Re
strained by Court From Speaking
to Him or Her Own Hus
band About Orders.
Kalamazoo, Mich.—A Kalamazoo
man has at last discovered the way
to curb the tongue of woman. His
discovery is timely, and the only fear
is that the system will be worked
overtime.
Frank B. Morris, who owns a farm
near this city, employed Irve Savage
to work it. Savage has a wife, claimed
to be all her name implies, and soon
after the farmhand and his wife had
taken possession of the tenant cottage
on the farm Mrs. Savage discovered
that she did not like the owner.
The dislike grew' and finally reached
Mrs. Morris. The landow'ner claimed
that during his and his wife's visits
to their farm to oversee the work and
give orders Mrs. Savage made life mis
erable for them. Consulting an attor
ney he was advised to make applica
tion for an injunction.
Morris followed the advice, and his
petition was presented to Judge John
W. Adams. In it he charged that
Mrs. Savage has an uncontrollable
temper, and frequently used coarse
language in his presence and that of
his wife.
The woman was also alleged to
have influenced her husband not to
carry out the orders given by Morris,
and the landowner prayed the court
that Mrs. Savage be enjoined from
speaking to either himself or wife on
the farm or on the street. Also that
she be restrained from interfering
with her husband carrying out the or
ders his employer Issued.
The injunction was issued, and the
court’s order was served on Mrs. Sav
age. By its provisions she cannot,
without being in contempt of court,
leave the lot which surrounds the
tenants’ cottage, nor can she speak to
Mr. and Mrs. Morris.
Enraged by the order, Mrs. Savage
packed her belongings and moved
away from the farm. Before going,
however, she pulled up every growing
plant in the garden she had made.
While the Savages have left the Mor
ris farm, the court's order stands, and
Mrs. Savage must not speak as she
passes her husband's former employ
er on the streets.
DREAM MADE HER BREAK NECK.
In Turning Girl Dislocated Vertebrae
—Surgeons Reset Them.
Camden, N. J.—Dreaming of bears,
the traditional bugaboos of childhood,
ten-year-old Olga Bennett of South
Second street was frightened so badly
by a vision of the beasts pursuing her
that she turned suddenly and dislocat
ed her neck. The pain of the disloca
tion awakened her and she called
loudly for help. Her parents rushed to
her bedside and tried to allay her
fears, but she continued to scream un
til she fainted from the pain.
When the older folks attempted to
revive her they noticed that her head
hung limp from her body. Not under
standing what could ail the child they
called in a physician. He saw imme
diately that her neck was dislocated.
An ambulance was called and she was
hurried to the Homeopathic hospital,
where a careful examination of the in
jury was made. It was found impos
sible to make any progress in giving
the girl even temporary relief until
the X-rays were used. With their aid
an attempt was made to replace the
dislocated vertebrae.
The first few attempts were unsuc
cessful, and the surgeons were in des
pair of saving the child’s life; but
finally an attempt was made which is
thought to have been successful. With
the aid of a harness the girl’s head
has been put in position and held
there. It will be several days, how
ever, before it is known what the re
sults of the peculiar accident will be.
In the meantime the case is being
watched with much interest by the
medical profession of this and neigh
boring cities.
ONE-HALF OF HIS BONES REMOVED.
Man Live* Ten Months After Remark
able Operation.
Detroit, Mich.—George J. Schwartz,
aged 31, died after living ten months
without any bones on the right side of
his body, lying flat on his back during
the entire time, his fight against death
for nearly a year providing a new won
der for the world of medicine.
Mr. Schwartz was afflicted with a
tumor three years ago. He underwent
an operation. This was unsuccessful
and three, other operations followed
within the two years following. Last
summer his condition became so seri
ous that his physicians decided an
other operation was all that could pro
long his life.
A like attempt had never been per
formed. Physicians found that all the
bones on the right side of the trunk
were diseased and must be removed
to insure a continuance of life. The
operation was held Oct. 3 last at the
Detroit sanitarium, and was witnessed
by physicians from all over Michigan,
medical students and members of the
medical profession from adjoining
states. All the ribs on the right side,
the collar bone, the breastbone, part
of the hip and shoulder blade were re
moved and the patient was left with
out any frame for his right side.
Mr. Schwartz recovered, but was
never able to lie in any other position
than on his back. His fortitude wa
declared marvelous by all physicians
under whose notice the patient came
No one who witnessed the operation
thought he would survive. For some
time past his death was momentarily
expected, but he constantly rallied un
til the battle against the final end had
exhausted all strength.
When a woman has a good-looking
husband she always keeps one eye on
him and the other on her woman
friends.
WOMEN ASK FOR UNIFORMS.
Are Willing to Wear Bloomers to Save
Street Car Fare.
St. Louis.—The women clerks in the
East St. Louis post office may soon be
decked in uniforms. Postmaster Jos
eph B. Messick, who has been in com
munication with the department at
Washington, has recommended the
adoption of a uniform consisting of a
“romper” waist and skirt, of material
resembling in color and texture the
garments worn by the carriers. It is
believed permission will be granted
Postmaster Messick to make the ex
periment
The principal reason for the change
lies in the fact that the men employes,
when in uniform and wearing a badge,
ride on street cars without paying car
fare. A lump sum is paid monthly by
the men to the street car company,
and this is less than their car fare
would be to and from the post office.
The plan has worked admirably, the
letter carriers getting over their routes
more guickly and handling much more
■Mil than they could walking, as was
the custom several years ago. The
girl clerks and employes of the post
office seem to think they have been
discriminated against and are willing
to wear any uniform suggested, so
that they, too, will have the benefit of
the free car rides to and from their
work.
Postmaster Messick says It would
stop rivalry in dress among the em
ployes and better the service gen
erally.
Up to Snuff.
The Farmer—Sell!n' books, hey? I
expected a lot of yew fellers would be
along here any day, but I can tell' yew
I fer one ain’t as green as I uster be!
I read the papers now an’ then,
b’gosh!
The Book Agent (bewildered) —
Great cats! What’s the matter with
us?
The Farmer (mysteriously)—Nuth
in’—only no later than yeatlddy I read
where the perllce wuz drivin’ all yew
handbook fellers out uv Noo York! —
Puck.
THEN TRAMPS LONG DISTANCE
TO REJOIN HUSBAND.
Pretty “Broncho Buster” After Being
Arrested for Masquerading at Last
Reaches Better Half Iq
Western City.
Spokane, Wash.—After having
tramped more than 1,000 miles attired
in a man's garments, arrested at Walla
Walla, south of here, and detained in
jail two weeks on a technical charge
of masquerading, Mrs. George Earl,
who was Nora Clay, daughter, of a
former cattle grower near Ft. Worth.
Tex., has joined her husband in
Spokane after a separation of six
weeks.
Thev eloped three years ago, be
cause the bride’s father threatened to
place her in a convent. She was then
10 years of age, and had a reputation
throughout the panhandle as a “bron
cho buster.” Mrs. Earl is of medium
height, slender and comely, a typical
Texyi, and speaks with an air of re
finement. George Earl has found em
ployment in a local hotel, where Mrs.
Joseph A. White has given the girl
wife a home. This is her story:
“I was raised on the plains of Texas
and started to ride bronchos when four
years of age. When I was 10 I started
busting mustangs and Indian ponies.
Papa sold his ranch later and started
a wild west show. I did trick riding
and broncho busting. It was easy, as
I had roped and branded cattle on the
Texas ranges.
"While with the show I met George
and we fell in love. My parents ob
jected to our marriage because they
said I was too young. I was 16. Then
George and I ran away, because papa
threatened to put me in a convent. I
was to be taken to Lott from El Paso
on the 6:35 o'clock evening train and
George and I left for Waco an hour
earlier.
"We went around the country, final
ly going to Oregon.
"George failed to get work and
started for Walla Walla. I did not
hear from him for several days, and
my funds gave out. Determined to
reach him, I decided to don a suit of
his clothing and beat my way to Walla
Walla. Reaching there, I heard he had
gone to Spokane, and started out to
tramp it to this city. When I reached
Starbuck I got a report that he was
at Walla Walla, and turned back.
“I tramped all the way from Star
buck back to Walla Walla on the rail
road track, not having a bite to eat
from Sunday morning to Monday
night. I was arrested by the consta
ble at Walla Walla, who noticed that
I wore women’s shoes, and suspected
that I was masquerading.
“I told the police of Walla Walla
that I was stranded, and was deter
mined to reach my husband and real
ized that the adoption of a disguise
was the only means whereby I could
carry the scheme through. I was
turned over to the Salvation army,
where I was treated nicely, and re
ceived transportation to Spokane, after
George had written to me where he
was. We expect to stay in Spokane,
as we have found good friends who
will assist us in making a home.”
TWITS BRIDE-ELECT; SPURNED.
Pennsylvania Swain Makes Fatal Mis
take at Clerk’s Desk.
Philadelphia.—Because her fiance
twitted her about her age. Miss Emma
Perth, of Reading, broke off her en
gagement with Harry Bissell, of the
same city at the marriage license bu
reau in the city hall this morning.
Miss Perth indignantly told Bissell
that he talked too much for her, and
that he could go and find some other
girl to marry.
All went well until Clerk Smith be
gan to ask the customary questions.
Bissell stated that he was 24 years old,
while the bride-to-be admitted 29 sum
mers.
“She doesn’t look her age, though,”
said Bissell.
“You needn't apologize for me,” said
the prospective bride. “I am old
enough to know my own mind.”
“You bet you are,” replied Bissell.
“I consider that an insult,” said Miss
Perth. “You talk too much. Now I
will never marry you. No man who
makes remarks about his wife’s age
will make a good husband. Good-by.”
Hogs to Eat Omaha Garbage.
St. Louis.—It was learned the other
day that 1,000 head of hogs bought
recently by Thomas McPherson from
the immense herd of porkers on Ches
ley Island, in the Mississippi river be
low the city, where the St. Louis gar
bage is consumed by the swine, were
destined to feed on the garbage of
Omaha. The municipal contractors
had found that the high-bled Poland
Chinas and Berkshires from Iowa
wouldn’t eat the daily dumpings of
filth from Omaha. The Omaha con
tractor paid a good price for the St.
Louis swine with undiscriminating
taste.
Cupid Kept Busy at Panama.
New York.—According to Herman
Weeks and his wife, who arrived here
the other day from Panama, the gov
ernment has promised every nlan who
brings his bride to the canal zone or
marries there a detached cottage.
The result has been such a boom in
marrying that the brides and brides
grooms are ahead of the cottages by
several laps.
Hen Is 20 Years Old.
Northville, Mich.—Wesley Mills of
this place has a hen that is 20 years
old which he raised on his little farm
here. It is just as brisk an egg layer
as any in his flock. A peculiar char
acteristic of the egg bird is that it
does a crowing stunt every day just
like a rooster.
What the Floods Did.
‘‘What makes sugar so high this
year?" asked the lady customer.
“The high price is due to the spring
floods, ma'am,’ replied the grocer.
“Well,” rejoined the 1. c., “I suppose
the floods did carry away a lot of
sand."—Chicago New*.
