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About Nebraska advertiser. (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 1882)
THE ADVERTISER. y Subscription, $2.00 per Year, in Advance. OFFICIAL PAPER OP VHP. COUitfT WORLDLY PRIDE. Oh, why should tho spirit of mortal bo proud? Knox. Tho feeble wrap tho nthlotlo In his shroud. Young. Thyself, but dust, thy staturo but a spun. Hpw insignificant is mortal manl ifrrk White. How fudlng nro tho Joys wo doto upon! i i .John Morris, Wo niiiko tho grnvo our bod, mul then aro gone. -IJlalr. Xlfo's u long'traycdy, this globe the stage. Watts. And tho dreams in youth aro but dust In ago. -J. Miller. There's no contentment in n world like this. -Willis, Peggars. enjoy where l'rlnees oft do miss. Grecno. Man's yesterday may novcr bo llko his morrow. . -Shelley. For days of Joy ensue sad nights of sorrow. Quarles. Think not too meanly of thy low estate. -O. W. Holmes. They also servo who only stand and walL Milton. v Honor and shamo from no condition rise. Pope. Tho man forgets not, though in rags ho lies. Akonside. And oh 1 bellovo mo, who have known It best. 1 Madden. "TJs not In mortals to command success. Addison. Yo cannot know what yo havo novcr tried. Hulwor. What fates impose that man must needs abide. Shakespeare. Frcp will is but necessity in play. flalley. in wmen mo guns must yiem nnu wo oney. ! lotenor. Man's but tho toy of omniscient power. Stuart. A schoolboy's tale, tho wonder of an hour. Hyron. 'Grasp not at much, for fear thou lowest all. Herbert. One statesman rises on another's fall. It. Drome. But wild ambition loves to slide, not stand. Drydcu. The steps of Ha ascent aro out In sand. Robert Mlllhouse. Ah,.looi:itoroxult In n glory so vain. Ileattle. How little of life's "scanty span may remain. . ' - - Hums. Honor's tho darling of but ono short day. -Sir H. Wotton. For tho fashion of this world passcth away. -Illblc. Why on such sands thy spirit's tomplo rear? Slgournoy. A Hacrcd'burdon in this life yo bear. Fruncls Kimball. Tho good beguu.by thee shall onward How. Wilcox, As falls tho troe, so lies it, so shalt thou. Dana. Death Is tho port whero all may refuge And. Sterling. '.Uncuvied,- unmolested, uucontlned. -K -Goldsmith. Mrs. II. A. Dcminu. TrirVs COUSIN CAROLINE'S DIAMONDS. My mint, Mrs. General Musgrove, is a very remarkable woman. Tall and tip right as a dart, with sparkling black eyes, and thick bandeaux of jot-black hair, with scarce a thread of silver visi ble in them, she might easily bo taken for fifty, instead of sixty-five. She man ages her large estate herself, and does it admirably; in fact, the "world calls her strong-minded. After tho marriage of her daughters, and tho establishment in life of her sons, she sold hcr'house in New York and took up her pornulitcnt residence at Ita venswood, her handsome country-seat on the Hudson, which was within twen ty minutes' drive of tho Waterdale Sta tion, .and just an hour aud a half from New York, by rail. Here she dwelt in a sort of stately seclusion, receiving con stant visits from one or the other of her married children. I was a frequent guest myself, being something of a fa vorito with my aunt, who used, severely, to remark that " Lizzy had no nonsenso about her." These family reunions usually took place at Christmas. But, one year, it chanced that lhanksgiving was select ed, because ono of my younger cousins was going abroad. It was a very bril liant affair, and all tho famous Mus grovo silver was sent up from the bank at New York for the occasion. Tho guests, however, only remained for a day. All had left, either by tho mid night train for New York, on tho same evening, or by the earliest one on the following morning. By noon tho next day my aunt ami I were left alone. Our first business was to count and pack the silver, which was always sent back, immediately, to the bank in Now York. My aunt used to say that noth ing would induce her to keep it in her house. Of her own servants sho felt perfectly sure. Sho had four in all: nor cook, Bridget O'Donucl, an elderly Irishwoman, who had, lived Vj'ith her for years; her housemaids, Sarah and Su san, who wero sisters; and. finally, an all-accomplislied Swiss man-servant, called Victor Ducango, who was literal-' ly and truly a perfect treasure. Thoro -was nothing in tho world that Victor could not or would not do. Ho took charge of tho two carriage horses; drovo my aunt out; waited at table; and could, in an emergency, ovon make tho beds or get up a dinner. Ho was always at hand, always noiseless, and never in tho way. 44 I got him quite by chance, too, my doar,"niy aunt said. " Ho used to bo tho head waiter at tho Hotel Motropolo, Genova; but Ids health broke down from overwork, and ho came to Now Yorkuvith tho Carringtons when thoy "returned from their last trip to Europe. 'fu.cu recommendations Us I had with, him! George Carringtoti could scarcely eay enough in his favor." Old Bridget, however, heartily dis liked him. " That murfherin1 thafe of a Frinehman," sho used to call the in valuable Swiss. Keeping the peace be tween those two high functionaries was difficult at time. As to Victor, ho never seemed to heed Bridget at all. A shrug of the shoulders, or, at most, a glance of unutterable disdain, was tho utmost notice that ho took of her. Tho day after the Thanksgiving din ner my aunt came to my room, where I was resting, after the packing of tho silver. "Only think, Lizzie," sho said, 44horo has Bridget gone and fallen ill to-dny, of all tho days in tho year, when, as you know, Sarah anil Susan have botli gone down to New York to be present at their sister's wedding. There isn't a soul in tho house to do anything except Vic tor." " Bridget ill? Why, what can bo tho mnttor?,F "Goodness knows, child. Sho was as well as possible this morning; but just now site came to mo aud said that she had such a whirling in her head, and such a trimlin' in her legs, that sho just had to go up to her room and Ho down.' It seems that Victor, who is a good soul, thought her looking ratliet badly this morning, and gave her some of his prime Swiss bitters; but sinco takhig tho dose sho lias gotten rather worso than better." Just then Victor's discreet tap was heard at tho door; and on being bidden to come in he entered, civil and obse quious as usual. "If madamc will permit me," ho said, "I will take charge of all tilings for a day or two. The maids will bo back to-morrow evening; and as for mistress Bridget, sho has but a mujrainc a sickness of the bile; she will no all right in a day or two. If madamc will tell me what she would like for dinner I shall get it readv for her." " Oh, thanks, tnanks," said my aunt. " I really didn't like to ask you; but since you offer " " With pleasure," retorted Victor. 4 And now I will go and see about din ner." The short balance of tho afternoon we spent in the library together over tho lire. I confess that I nodded more than once over my book; for I was tired with tho day's work, and I stispeot that my aunt was just as bad. Anyway, it was something of a surprise to' us both when we wero suiwmoned to dress for dinner a ceremony that Aunt Mns grove seldom or never omitted, but whio'i sho seemed inclined to shirk for once 911 that particular evening. 44 1 shall not go up-stairs, I think. No, Victor, you need not take a light lo my dressing-room. You can come and call mo whenever dinner is ready." We reopened our novels again; and I was speedily absorbed in mine. But my aunt began to fidget, being now thoroughly aroused from her drowsi ness; and at last she declared that sho must go up-stairs and wash her hands, and put on a clean collar and cuffs, if she did nothing more. 4,4 No need for your disturbing your self, child," she added. "Shall I call Victor to bring you a light, aunt?" 44 No. 1 always keep a caudle and matches on my dressing-table." And off she went, with as light and active a step as though her years had been six teen instead of over sixty. She was gone for some little timo. In fact, dinner was announced, and the soup was waiting to be put on the table when sho came hurrying into the dining room. 44 Br-r-r-r," she said, with a shiver, rubbing her hands together As sho spoke, " how cold it is in my dressing room. .One feels it the more after sit ting so long over that nice, warm fire, in tho library. I hope that tho soup is quite hot. I declare, I am half frozen." She really seemed so. I could see that a shudder, now and then, passed over her, as though she wero shaken by somo inexpressible chill. Tho soup, however, seemed to reanimate her, and bIio soon chatted away in ius lively a strain as usual. Victor had achieved wonders in re gard to tho dinner. A delicious, clear sou), some cold salmon with mayon naise sauce, and a delicate salmi of chicken, with truffles, succeeded each other in turn, and were warmly praised, especially by my aunt. When tho meal was about half concluded my aunt said, suddenly, laying down her fork: 4,I declare, I had almost forgotten about my letter, Lizzie. You havo heard 1110 speak of my niece, Caroline West my sister Margaret's daughter who lives in Albany tho Queen of Dia monds, as I used to call her?" 44 Yes, aunt, often." 44 Well," continued my aunt, drawing a letter bearing tho Albany postmark,! from her pocket, "when I wont up stairs, just now, I chanced'to remember that Bridget had brought me up two letters this morning, aud that I had put .them, in tho pocket of my dressing-gown witiiout reacting them. Attorwarus, 1 was so" busy with tho silver, and llus torod by her illness, that I forgot them. I happened to think of them while up stairs, and it is well that I did, for Car oline is comiiig to-night to stay with us till tho midday express from Watordalo to New York .leaves to-morrow; and, moreover, sho is going to bring with her all her diamonds." 44 All her diamonds? And for what reason?" My aunt, in answer, opened tho lettor and scanned its pages. 44 Ah, here it is. She says: " My hus band has just telegraphed to mo that wo are to sail for Europe by next Monday's steamer. I am going to bring my dia monds with me, to deposit at Till any' s, and, as I do not wish td remain all-night I at a lioto with such a mass of valimblo jewels, I shall irture lo task your hos pitality. I sdiall bring no baggage, only a small valise, with a change oi cloth ing, and my jewel-cases. Ploaso moot mo at tho Watordalo Station at a quar ter past eight.' That," added my aunt, 44 is the hour at which the Albany train stops there. So, Victor, I shall want tho carriage at a little before eight. I am rather surprised," continued my aunt, turning to mo as she spoke, "thnt Caroline is willing to travel with so much valuable property about her. Thoso diamonds of hers aro worth, at tho very lowest calculation, lifty thou sand dollars." 44 Fifty thousand dollars! Aunt, you surprise me." 44 Did you not know that Mr. West lias a perfect cnizo for collecting pre cious stonci, particularly diamonds. Kvory timo that lie and Carrie go to Eu ropo they como back laden with fresh treasures in that lino. .She has a su perb diamond necklace. Then, thoro is tho bracelet that "belonged to the Em press Eugenie, and the set of rose-pearls and brilliants that she bought at the sale of tho Queen of Spain's jewels, and tho pear-shaped diamond pendants from the 'Musard sale, and ever so many more. And only .our good Victor, "hero, to stand guard over all these treasures. Victor, l shall have to take out tho Gen eral's revolvers to lend you for to night," 44 If madamo desires me to sit un all night, I shall be happy to do so, to Keep watch over tho house," replied Victor, with Ids usual .bow. 44 No need of that. Hut perhaps it would bo as well for you to sleep on the library sofa, with the revolvers within reach. Now, let us be off Liz zie, you must come with me for com pany." She said these last words just as Vic tor vanished out of tho door, carrying with him tho trny loaded with ptates and glasses. I did not feel at all in clined to take a drive of over a mile in tho sharp frosty air, and was beginning a refusal, when a glance at my aunt's face froze the words upon -Any' lips. I cannot describe her expression. I can compare it only to the countennrice of a ghost-seer, who has beheld some hideous and malevolent specter, invisible to all other persons present. She laid ono finger on her mouth, in token of silence, and tho next moment was bustling about, looking for shawls and hip-rugs, and discussing, in her usual clear, de cided tones, as to what room she had best put Cousin Caroline in, and whether tho diamonds had not best be locked up in one of the silver chests till morning. I did not dare to question her. Something very strange and terri bly wrong was going on; of that I was convinced; but. 1 did my best to follow her lead, and to talk easily and cheerfully whilst putting on my iiatand fur-lined cloak which Victor had brought in from the hat-rack in the hall beforo going to got out tho carnage. I do not. think that Victor was over fifteen minutes in bringing tho carriage around; but short as was the interval, it appeared to me endless. My aunt, meanwhile, occupied herself with put ting on her wraps as quietly, and me thodically, as though she had been going on a shopping expedition at Stewart's, or for a drive in Central Park. Hor faco still kept its white, set aspect, how ever; and when I offered to go upstairs to got her a pair of gloves, she refused, with more vehemence than was usual to her. At last. Victor appeared at the door and announced that tho carriage was ready. 44 All ready, you say?" said my aunt. 44 Then wo will lock the front-door, and do you take charge of tho key, Victor. You havo seen to tho windows and to tho other doors, I suppose?" 44 They are fastened, madamc." 44 That is well. And now to the sta tion." That drive that drive! I havo foltico and marble, in my day; but anything so mortally, penetratingly cold, as was tho hand wherewith my aunt clasped mine, I have never yet encountered. I commenced to interrogate hor, in a whisper; but that frozen palm was at 01100 pressed to my lips, and I forboro. Some danger threat ened us, -oven then, it seemed. So we went on in perfect silence, the carriage lamps costing quivering gleams of light on the dark shrubs anil leafless trees by the roadside, and filling every shadowy nook with vague images of terror. That drive how interminable it seemed how welcome shone tho glim mering lights of Watordalo when first wo discerned them in the distance. Then came the streets and houses of tho littlo town; and, finally, Victor checked tho horses in front of the brightly lighted station, with its usual group of loung ers, and its waiting porters and railway bllloials. My aunt sprang from tho carriage, and I followed. Tho next moment sho had caught Victor by the collar with two frenzied hands, crying, as she did so, in shrill, piercing tones: "IIolp, help! This man is a murder er!" In an instant all was confusion. The horses plunged aud reared, and Victor, after tho surprise of tho first moment, wrenched himself loose from my aunt's fjrasp, and leaping to tho ground would mvo effected his escape, had not somo half-dozen strong men started forward in answer to my aunt's appeal. In tho twinkling of an eye ho was seized and socurely pinioned. Then came the eager question, from a dozen mouths: 'Who is it that he has murdered P Whom has he killed, Mrs. MusgroveP" 44 My poor, old, faithful servant, Bridget O'Donnel. And his accomplices aro oven now waiting in my house to murder my niece ana myself, on our re turn." A cry of' horror uroso from tho by standers. My aunt looked around, with a dazed air. 44 1 think --Lizzie that wc are saved," she said, vaguely; and then she fell in sensible upon tho ground, in the llrst and otdy swoon that her vigorous na ture had ever known. Wo did not return to Unvonswood that night, as may well bo imagined. A detachment of tho Waterdale police was sent by tho local authorities to take charge of the house and its contents, and also to superintend the removal of tho corpse of poor old Bridget. My aunt and 1 took refuge at the Waterdale Hotel, where we remained to await the response to the telegram that was nt once dispatched to hor oldest son, who was a lawyer in extensive practice in New York. But it was many days be fore her nerves had so far recovered their tone as to permit of her giving mo a detailed account of all that had taken place on that memorable evening. Hor tory, when sho did tell it, ran as fol lows: 44 When I loft you, Lizzie, to go up stairs and make somo changes in-my dross, 1 had no light, as you may remem ber. Whenl reached my dressing-room I was unable to find the candle anil matches some ono had displaced them; but as tho moon was shining very bright ly I contrived to wash my hands and change my collar without ringing for a light, as I had at lirst intended. Then I started to como down stairs, feeling ratlior surprised at finding that Victor had not lighted tho hull lamp; but 1 at tributed his negligence to the fact that, ho had had so much extra work to at tend to. When I readied the foot of tho stairs I becamo aware of voices in the butler's pantry the voices of sev eral men, talking in a sort of half whis per. I was startled, and I paused to listen, struck at once with the idea that thieves had gained admission to the house. Standing on the mat at tho foot, of the staircase F could hear every word that they said. They wero completing their arrangements to murder you ami T I I IV I II iiiu, iji.y.w, mm hi cany un uiu .silver. I distinctly recognized Victor's voice, and his peculiar foreign pronunciation. His Confederates (there were two of them, so far as I could make out) wens anxious to 4 finish up tho job at once,' as ono of thorn phrased it; but Victor opposed it. The house was too near tho road, ho declared; thorn might be screaming, and any unusual noise might bo heard by some passer-by. 4 Best wait till tho women aro sound asleep,' he urged, 4 in their bedrooms, and then tho matter could bo settled without any trouble.' Finally, this point was de cided, according to his suggestions. 44 At this stage in thoir conference I quitted my post and slipped noiselessly up-stairs, my intention being to awaken Bridget, and to send hor out of the house through one of the front drawing room windows, to go and seek for help, while tho villains wero still plotting In tho pantry. 1 reached her room and entered. 4 Bridget,' I said, softly. Bht rceoiving no answer, I thought sho was still sleeping, and 1 approached the bod. Tho moonlight, shining full upon tho pillow, revealed to mo the face that rest ed on it it was tho faco of a corpse. 44 Why I did not lose consciousness at that dreadful sight I cannot compre hend; but Providence seemed to sustain my strength then, as afterwards. I drew near and investigated tho causo of tho poor creature's death. It was not far to seek. Around her neck was tightly twisted a gaily-colored silk handker chief, one of a half-dozen that I had my self given to Victor. I stole from tho room, heart-sick, and well-nigh despair ing. There wo were, two helpless wom en, shut up in the house with a band of assassins, and with no avenue of escape at hand; for, of course, our movements would bo watched, and any betrayal of our consciousness of dan ger would be followed by our instant murder. 44 And then, Lizzie, as if by inspira tion, thoro flashed across my brain tho idea of tho scheme that afterward so fully succeeded tho story of Carol ino West's purposed arrival with her cele brated diamonds. Tho bait proved ir resistible to tho villains, or rather to thoir master-spirit, Victor, as I had hoped and intended. Only one more woman to put to death. 'Jewels, valued at over fifty thousand dollars, would be the reward of that extra murdor. But can you reulizo what agony of mind I endured when you talked of refusing to accompany me to the station?" My story is ended. Victor Ducango was tried and condemned for tho mur dor ho had committed. His confeder ates escaped capture, having probably been on the watch for the return of tho carriago, and so were warned of the ap proach of tho police. My aunt has sold Ravenswood, and now' lives in New York, with a burglar alarm in her bed-room and a brace of loaded revolvers always within her reach. There are silver threads in her thick, soft hair, that was so lately as dark as a raven's wing; and her onco strong neryes have novcr, I think, ro- fjuiiieU their ' tone sinco thoso terrible lours, from whoso impending peril we wore so mercifully preserved by Cousin Caroline's Diamonds. Peterson's Maga zine. m m Let no ono suppose that by acting a good part through life ho will escape scandal. There will be those oven who Jiato him for. tho very qualities that ought to procure esteem. Thoro are some folks in tho world who aro not willing that others should bo better than themselves. m m ' A young Oil City lady recently visited Now York, and when sho re turned homo, related to her friends how sho stopped at a 4 palatable hotel aud woutupaud downstairs inacultivator." Hor parents should cultivate her. Oil Gilu Derrick. FACTS AND FIUUHUS. Oregon had 100,000 tons of wheat for export this year. The highest speed made in cancel ing letter stamps by hand has been 250 a minute. A turtle captured latoly In tho St. .John's Uiver, Florida, weighed 500 pounds and was six feet in length. Over 100,000 canary birds aro year ly soltl in the United States. Tho price this year is $18 por dozen, wholesale. Of over 700,000 sqnaro miles of tim ber lauds in this country tho South em braces 100,000, or nearly two-thirds. A citizen of Central Now York is the owner of twenty-two factories, and is one of tho largcstoliooso manufacturers in tho country. His annual product amounts to -15,000 cheese. Tho silk trade of Lyons, Franco, now occupies some l'JO.OOO looms, of which only 5)0,000 are within the city. Includ ing thoso who work in tho silkworm establishments there nro 800,000 persons employed in the Lyons silk trade. In 1787 tfiero wero but 80,000 and 18,000 looms. In Charleston, S. C, tho business of turpentine and rice factors has so materially extended that it has been found necessary to erect a mammoth barrel factory in tho city limits. Tills year, according to existing contracts, 100,000 barrels of .'100 pounds capacity will be required for tho rice crop alone. Chicago handles about one-third of tho entire forest products of tho vrtsl. pineries of tho Northwest, Millions of acres of timber lands in Michigan, Wis consin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois aro tributary to hor market. Tho entire product of these pineries last year in manufactured lumber amounted to about. 5,7o(),000,000 feet, and, according to the best, estimates at this date, tho produc tion for tho present year will show an excess of at least tweWe per cent. Mr. G. Fasoldt says, in a letter to the American Journal oj Microscopy: I havo ruled plates up to 1,000,000 linos to the inch, one of which was purchased by tho United States Government at. Washington. Those plates show linos truly and fairly ruled, as far as lenses are able to resolve, and above this point the spectral appearance of the bands in regular succeeding colors (when exam ined as an opaque object) shows, beyond doubt, that each band contains airly ruled lines up to tho 1,000,000 band. I do not believe that I will over attempt to rule higher than 1,000,000 lines per inch, as from my practical experience and judgment, t havo concluded that that is tho limit of ruling. WIT AND WISDOM. It is scarcely surprising that tho ago is so full of falsehood when such a vast number of words aro comi rds aro compelled to pass eeth. N. 1. Commercial through false teeth. AUvdrti.w. "Housekeeper" We do not know why plum pudding was sonamedfunless it was because it contains everything, from dirt to nightmares, except plums. Yonkers Gazette. This is a Young Lady. Sho is sit ting at a Piano, and will soon begin to sing "Empty is tho Cradle, Baby's Gone." Run away quickly, children, mid perhaps you will miss somo of it. Chimgo Tribune Primer. Old Abram's wisest remark: "Ef do descendants ob do rooster what crowed at Peter was ter make a noiso obory timo a lie is told dar would be such a noiso in do world dat yer couldn't hoah do hens cackle." Arkansas Gazette. Who is this Creature with Long Hair and a Wild Eye? Ho is a Poet. Ho writes Poomson Spring and Women's Eyes and Strange, unrealThings of that Raid. Ho is idways Wishing ho was Dead, but ho wouldn't Lot anybody Kill him if lie could Get away. A mighty good Sausage Stuffer was Spoiled when the Man becamo a Poet. Ho would Look well Standing under a Descending Pilo drivor. Denver Tribune Primer. A Providence man recently had an experience. Ho was smoking a cigar ette, and throw it away, but retained a mouthful of snioko. A servant girl just from Sweden entered with a pitcher of ice water just as ho lot the smoke es cape from his nostrils. Sho thought ho was on firo inside, and immediately deluged him with tho water. It was very funny, but you can't make him be lieve it. lioston Post. " Minnio" wants to know " who sets tho fashions?" Well, wo don't, want to boast, dear, or appear unduly conceited, or that sort of thing, but tho fashion of wearing a spring overcoat, flavored at tho elbows with benzine, clear through tho Christmas holidays and along into next February wo sot that ono "ourself." Wo don't know who set tho others, as that is tho only ono wo aro deeply interested in, just now. Burlington Iluwkcyc. This is a modern courtship in a nut shell: Tho lights wero so bright that they seemed garish, and the parlor of the MoWishes was radiant in upholstery of the past decade. Eulalie, the pride of tho family, just making preparations for celebrating her nineteenth birthday. Old Bullion making nn evening call. " My dear Miss McWish. Thoro is in deed a disparity in our ages. You have youth and beauty. I, years and wealth. But 1 trust thoro can bo somo recipro city between usP" " Indeed, my wt Mr. Bullion, wealth is not to bo de spised. Neither is old ago and deli cate health." Tho last olauso in an un dertone. A kiss that was llko tho rat tling of an old parchment against a sat in cushion closed that bargain. We'll bet tho old man outlives hor. Nisid Ua- Ken Register SB '' .-