The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, June 17, 1886, Image 6

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    MANHOOD'S YESTERDAY.
I'm sad
to-dny ,
And so niv lay
Shall be of bovhood yesterday !
WStn I a child
"Went romping wild
111 woodland paths wliere sunshine smiled.
t Arnonc the herds
V And merrbirds
I wandered with my gladsome words ,
Aud all day long
I warbled song :
To nature an'd her kindred throng.
"With tousled hair
And feet all bare ,
I gathered flowers everywhere ,
' And was not"shorn v
Tor then no thorn
Had from my cheeks the dimples torn.
I gamboled on
'
, Tile velvet lawn * - '
At evening's tide and day's first dawn ;
I danced aud sang
Till household rang
With laughter at my bantering.
. I climbed the trees
And chased the bees
From stealing honey there with ease ;
I planted flowers
Through all the hours
And watched thc-ra nurtured by the showers.
Thus in a haze
My bovhood davs
Have passed , and I can only gaze ,
Hut never see
Their rhapsody
Save now and then m m'emory.
For wrinkles now '
Have plowed my brow ,
And weighty care has shown me hotr
It leaves a trace
On boyish face
As age comes on to take its place.
I mast not grieve ,
For I believe
God garners all , and PO will sheave
Both youncr and old
On fields of gold
When he the future does unfold.
Gtorge Gbjndon , in the Current.
BOOH ITH THE STAIRCASE ,
BV ELEAXOU CORBET.
In the fall of 188-1 , my husband and
I were making a trip through the north
ern part of North Carolina , in search
of a long missing relative , for whom a
considerable legacy , was waitin
which legacy , in case of his death , with
out heirs , would fall to us , as next of
kin. A clew to his whereabouts had
been hard to obtain , anil when at last
it was found , the following of it kept
ns zigzaging about from one little town
to another ; and man3' of these °
miles from any railway , wo had con
sidered it advisable to possess ourselves
ot a horse and light buggy , and drive
ourselves wherever the trail might lead
us. In pursuance of this plan , we had
been on the road for many hours , and
had obtained some valuable informa
tion , when in endeav9ring to follow di
rections and take a short cut , we found
ourselves on a lonely road , apparently
ver3' far from the town we were aim
ing for , and our horse had begun to
limp a little , and seemed quite tired
out. It was dark and chilly , too , be
ing now the last of October , and there
was , a rising wind , moaning and whist
ling about our ears , and plainly warn
ing us to seek shelter before the night
should be upon us. We drove along0
silence , looking eagerly for some signs
of human habitation , and feeling as
though lire and food were blessings not
properly appreciated heretofore.
At length there was a slight turn in
the long , straight road we had been
following for the last hour , and a little
wa3' ahead , we caught the welcome
glimmer of lighted windows , and in a
few minutes more , Fred drew rein in
front of a large , weather-beaten , wooden
house , which seemed to promise shelter ,
and warmth , at least. And his promise
was more than fulfilled , when we made
our presence and our wants known , for
we were received with as much hospi
tality' as though we had been invited
guests , or friends of long standing.
Strangers were evidently a rarityin
thi.s section of country , and were a wel
come diversion from the monotony of
every-day life. We had arrived very
opportunely , just in time for the even
ing meal in the great rooimkitchen ,
which seemed to be the headquarters
and general rendezvous of the farmer's
large farnity * . Hero we were bidden to
draw up and partake of the bounteous
and appetizing supper , and when that
was over , we exerted ourselves to make
the next hour a pleasant one for our
entertainers , 03giving them news of !
the outside world , and such gossip of
the countiy side as we had picked up
in our late "wanderings. But the hearty'
meal and the increasing heat of the
tire , joined to the fatigue of our long
drive , soon combined to make me very
drows3 * ; and seeing this , 1113husband
requested that we might be allowed
to retire , though it was not yet nine
o'clock.
"Put us , " said Fred , "wherever it
will least disturb 3'ourselves. We shall
be thankful for a bed , anywhere. "
"Well ! I'm afraid we can't give you
a very warm room. You see , Sister Al-
mirv's here with all her family ; and so
we haven't but one emptyroom left ,
and that's in the corner which gets the
northwest winds. But it's got a' good
bed two on 'cm , for that matter , so ye
can take your ch'ice. " And with 'this
the farmer handed us a tallow candle ,
and with another in his own hand , led
the way upstairs , and. turning intoa _
narrow intersecting hall , with doors on
each side , he unlocked the one belong
ing to the corner room.
Up to this moment , everything con
nected with the house and its occu
pants , had been of the most prosaic
matter-of-fact but with
and - - description ;
that opening of this locked door , all
this was changed , and a different atmos
phere enveloped ns. This , however ,
was rather felt than seen , for at first
Tiew there was nothing unusual , except
a flight of seven or eight steps , running
down to'a closed door , apparently on a
'
level wiiii the floor of 'living rooms
which we had just quitted. We both
turned to the farmer , with questioning
looks , and were answered by a hearty
4 < Oh , you needn't be skcered o' that
door. It opens on to the end of the hall
down-stairs , close to the side door of
the piazza , but that's locked , and this
you see , is bolted on this side and hasn't
been opened this dozen years. Well ,
I'll Isftve you this candle , too , in case
7
you want to keep a light burning , and
I hope vou'll sleep well. "
He stepped outside , and Fred closed
and locked the door after him , and we
turned to take a more comprehensive
view of our temporary abode. It was
quite a large room with two Avindows ,
at the right side ; the end facing the
door was a blank wall , against which
stood the head of one of the beds , the
foot of it projecting into the middle of
the room. Over on the other side , op
posite the further window , was a door ,
presumably of a closet , the rest of wal
being unbroken ; and in the end , where
we had entered , was the staircase , the
hall door , and in the corner to the
right of this , the otho.r bed , also will
its headboard against the wall. There
was no carpet on the iloor , only rugs
laid at the beds' side , and in front o
the washstand ; shades of dark green
paper screened the upper halves of the
windows , and the wall paper was of a
sickly , greenish-gray tint , while the
furniture was of the plainest descrip
tion. A most uninviting room , indeed
and as I took in its different features , 1
was conscious of a feeling of the ut
most distaste , which became stronger
every moment.
There was a damp chilliness creep
ingabout , and a faint , musty odor
which I had not noticed at first : anc
that staircase , with its dusty uncar-
peted steps , and the dark shadows lurk
ing at its foot , gave me the horrors.
"Fred , " said 1 , "do go down there
and try if that door is bolted ; I don'
like the looks of it. "
Fred laughingly obeyed , and report
ed that it was not only bolted fas
enough , but that the bolt was so rusty
from disuse that it would not slip the
fraction of an inch. I crossed the
room , candle in hand , aud opened the
other door. A mere shallow closet ,
with a high shelf and row of nails , am
empty' , except for a small stove lean
ing up in one corner. I closed ant
locked that door also.
"Well , Nettie ? " said my husband ,
already divested of coat and collar ;
'hadn't you better get ready for bed ? "
Fred , " said 1 gravely , there's some
thing horrible about this room I feel
it all over me something creepy and
uncanny. Oh , you needn't laugh , and
if you think you're going to have one
of these big beds all to yourself , you're
mistaken , for I'm not going to be out of
arm's reach of you this night. "
"Why , little woman , what's come
over 3011 ? You don't often indulge in
nerves. "
" No , I don't , but I can't help it now ;
and oh , my dear , do let us take this
bed nearest the door and keep your
candle burning all night , and mind"you
don't go to sleep lirst ! "
We blew out one candle , and set the
other in the washbowl , across the
room , and tucked ourselves into the
bed I had selected. It was an old-
fashioned featherbed , and so warm and
comfortable that my nervous misgiv
ings soon faded out , "and within a half-
hour , we were both fast asleep , and
slept soundly for what seemed along
while. How long I do not know , but I
was suddenly awakened by a sensation
of cold , and reached down to draw up
another blanket , when I heard the un
mistakable sound of a door gently shut ,
and it was within tiie room !
A glance showed me that thore waa
no one at the hall door nor by the clos
et , and the next instant a sound arose
from the staircase ; a slow heavy step ,
mounting stair by stair I could not
turn my eyes away , thoKgh I was
trembling with fright , and ray heart
svas beating so I could nots-petifc ; but
[ put out my hand and clutched Fred's
arm , and he awoke and sat silent , be
side me , listening to those fearful steps.
I'hey were more than half-way up now ,
ind a head and shoulders aroseabove
; he banisters , and then the whole iig-
ire came into view. It was a , short ,
thickset man , apparently about sixty
years old , with iron-gray hair , heavy
3yebrows , and a stern , beardlessface
tvith cruel , sensual mouth. His dress
ivas of the fashion in vogue half a ceu-
; ury ago , and he carried a hat and a
riding-whip in his hand. His face
ivorc an awful gray pallor , against
which a deep scar on the cheek stood
jut in livid whituess , and his eyes look-
> d straight ahead in an unseeing gaze
ivhich. seemed all unconscious of our
jresence.
As lie mounted the top step , a long
quivering sigh breathed through the
oom , and 1 squeezed closer to Fred
aid grasped his hand tightly , yet could
lot take my eyes away from our
itrange visitant , nor make a motion to
eave the room. Fred , too , seemed to
30 under a spell , and though not usual
ly wanting in bravery , he made no
Movement to drive awaj1 the intruder ,
fogether we sat there , scarcely breath
ing , and watched , while , like one dis
traught , the figure paced the room , be
tween staircase and window , sometimes
pausing by the other bed , now shaking
liis clinched fist in the air , now clutch
ing with both hands at his gray hair ,
groaning and sighing , and with ever
moving lips , from which came no ar
ticulate words to our strained ears.
His deep-set eyes never turned upon
us ; if they had , "l think the horror of
that craze would have driven me crazy
on the instant. At length he dropped
upon the bed as though exhausted , and
after a few moments , waiting , I was-
'
about to whisper to' Fred to get me out
of the room , when , with a groan more
hollow and heart-breaking than any
before , the figure sprung from the bed ,
made but a step to the window , and
threw himself out. It was all over in
a moment , and seemed to break the
spell which had hold us motionless ; and
with an exclamation , Fred dashed to
ward the window. It was closed as
securely as before , and the outside
blinds were closed and fastened ; and
when he turned to the bed where three
minutes before we had both seen a
heavy figure lying , it was smooth and
undented as though just made up.
With a look of ashen horror spread
ing over his face , my husband came aud
lifted me to the Iloor.
"Come , " said he , "let us get away
from this accursed room. "
We huddled on our clothes , slipped
out into the hall , and found our way
down to the kitchen , where the lire and
the homely , every-day look of things
somewhat settled our nerves. And
here , a couple of hours later , the farmer
and his wife found us , and listened to
our narrative. As it progressed they
lookod at each other with comprehend
ing glances , and at the end the mar
exclaimed :
"Well , I swear ! it's all true then ,
about the ghost. None of us eversau
him. and I didn't believe it. or ]
wouldn't have put strangers into thai
room on October 30th. "
"But what does it mean ? " Tell us ! "
I asked.
"Well , it all happened before om
time , when old m'ser Otis owned this
farm. He wasn't any kin of ours , and
I don't hesitate to say he must have
been a mean old sinner. He had a wife
and a grown up family , but he was sc
stingy that thecould hardly get 'the
necessaries of life ; and he was so stern
and overbearing that life was scarcely
worth having anyhow at least , to his
wife. When he was nearly sixty , thore
came a strange couple to live in a little
house , over on the edge of the woods
about a mile from here an old hag oi
a woman and a girl , her reputed grand
child. The girl was a bold , handsome
thing , like a gypsy , always laughing ,
singing , and dancing ; and she just bo-
witched old Otis. He got so infatuated
that he neglected his farm , and was
over at the hut constantly. And lie
gave her presents and 11101103 % l'N nc
had spent more on her in six mouths
than his family had had in as man
years. Well , she fooled him and de
ceived him as such a woman would , am
one evening hefound it out. He hung
around in the woods until his hand
some young rival went away , am
then he crept in and killed her. 'Twas
said that he strangled her by twisting
the lash of his whip about her throat
and that next day when she was fount
it was plainly seen where the cord hat
cut into her soft ucelc. Ho came hoiii3
here and went up that staircase into the
room he occupied alone ; and there ,
overwhelmed with horror , remorse , ant
the fear of arrest , just before daWn , he
threw himself from the window ant
broke his nock. And that was October
30th , and liny told us when wo bought
the place that the ghost returned on
each anniversary of his crime ; but we
never used the room except in the sum
mer months , and I'd almost forgot the
old story. And you really saw him ? "
Yes. we really did , and even the reas
suring light of day , and the presence oi
other human beings , could not quite
drive away my nervous terrors , and it
was with heartfelt relief that we drove
away from that haunted house : and it
was months after our return to my
own , dear , bright home , before I could
lot myself think of the horrors of that
'
night'in the Staircase lloom. Tid-Bits.
A California Earthquake.
I am not sufficiently intimate witli
the article to give you a correct analysis
of it , although I have rubbed up
against several full-blown ones since
rny residence upon the Coast ; but we
have never exchanged confidences.
The earthquake , like other California
products , depends for its success upon
its sizu and llavor. although its sudden
ness may have something to do with it.
It will creep up through the earth until
within three inches of the surface and
then it bangs the spot you arc standing
on , telescoping your backbone until
your ears rest Tn your hip-pockets and
your coat-tail drags in the dust. Then
with a rocking motion it makes you
sick , and sneaks oil'after more strength.
About the tiute you lish your cravat out
of 3'our boots : 'iid vomit up 3'otlr cigar-
loiiler which you absent-mind
edly swallowed in your efforts to hit
She earthquake a return blow with the
L'Ibow of your pants , it comes back.
1'JiG fir&t shock i > a love-tap compared
ivith the second , and the third is even
more- energeticThe first shock throws
; ou heavenward far enough to grasp a
larp , if rffiiusically inclined , and you
return in time to-alight upon a quantity-
if glis from windows. Then the
rockjiig motion sets in again and a live
stoiy buildiiu * loans over and drops a
jiliard , table oa , your ear. The building
: ightsitself and the one opposite
swingsover and dumps an iron bed and
i smallt pox patieut on you. The earth-
] Uake then Liiesitself off giggling in
ts sleeve. It inny not return again for
several mouths , but when it does you
fvill not require a railroad guide book
x > 'inforin you. of the fact.
A friend of mine wits present at one
) f these lively matinees in San Frau-
jiseo last summer , . 011 which occasion
ic-met - the-most in
, hesaysthemost polite man
he worldA Lady was thrown out of
i. window of the llt'th story of a build-
ng , . by vioknl vibration , anil she
truck with both Fscnch heel' upon the
lead : of the polite man. He wiped the
jlood out of his- eyesand said : "Ex-
: useme , madam * for getting in 3our
vay 'r Yreka Union.
She of the Strong 3Iin.il.
jhosings of thegood that will come to the.
world
" \\lien all women : have their say ;
3ut she won't dress-up in a low-neck waist ,
Because she's not built that wav.
-Vfe.
Furniture Lumber.
Furniture makers are to-day using
umber which was called worthless ten
-ears ago. Whitewood or poplar is
ised in immense quantities , notwith
standing its warping qualities. The
growing scarcity- our natural supply
> f lumber leads manufacturers to ex
periment with so-called "worthless"
rarieties. Cypress is working into favor
! or architectural finish , and we would
lot be surprised if some enterprising
manufacturer should come out with a
nost desirable piece of furniture , pos
sessing a delicate , and finely marked
jrain , and yet consisting of nothing
jut unpretentious cypress. Hard pine
makes a nice lookidg job when finished
n good shape , but has the serious ob-
ection of being full of pitch. Cypress
las much the same appearance _ as hard
pine , but the pitch is happily absent ,
rhe wood commonhknown as'gum"
ms been successfully utilized. It is be-
ng worked into a great many forms , de
spite its well-known warping qualities ,
ivhich are represented as "being so great
that the lumber "will not stay in the
same countytwo successive nights. "
We arc informed that pic'.ure ' frames
lave been successfully made of gum
ivood , and rumor adds that the very
qualities that have hitherto condemned
t have been utilized in the manufac-
ure of self-rocking cradles. Forest ,
and Farm.
A WHITE HOUSE BRIDE.
How President Trier Illustrated the
Old Fable of January and May.
If all the stories be true , and Miss
Folsom comes to the White House a
bride , she will not be the first lady who
has enjoyed that pre-eminence. Presi
dent Tyler anticipated President Cleve
land just forty'-two 3'ears in conferring
that honor upon a bride. Tyler was
what his own Irish gardener wittily
called him , our first second hand presi
dent , and his administration was the
stromiest known in our annals , except ,
perhaps , that of its counterpart , An
drew Johnson's. Tyler personally is
as utterly forgotten as the obscurest
congressman who poured maledictions
upon him with impeachment , and there
probably are man3' well informed per
sons who know but little more of him
than that he betrayed the partywhich
elected him ; that he was the object of
some of Ilemy Clay's most tremendous
phillippics , and that ho had something
to do with the annexation of Texas.
When lie succeeded to the presidency
on the 4ih of April , 1841 , he was in
his 51st 3"car. He had grown sons ant
daughters , some of whom wove niai'
ried. His wife , whom he had marriet
in 1813 and to whom he had alway.
been a devoted husband , was in very
feeble health , and did not long surviv
the honors thrust upon her. She diet
at the White house September 10 , 1812
and hers was the second death , Har
rison's being the first , which occurret
in that mansion.
In the winters of 1842 and 1843 two
young ladies from New York were the
reigning belles of Washington society * .
They wore the daughters of David Gar
diner , a descendant in the youngei
branch from the famous Lion Gardiner ,
lord of Gardiner's island. Mr. Gar
diner was bred to the law , but , having
married an heiress , never practiced.
He held a scat in the New York senate
for four years during the governorship
of De Witt Clinton and was an active
partisan of that great man. After that
ho never sought nor hold official station ,
but spent much time abroad with his
family. While at home his winters
were passed in Washington , and his
summers at his own residence in East
Hampton , Long Island. He gave great
attention to the education of his daugh
ters , and the eldest , Julia , was a young
lady of great beauty and accomplish
ments. She was the Washington sen
sation for two winters , and her hosts of
niirers were led b3the gallant widower
president.
Whatever may be saM of 'lylcr's
political sins , his domes ic and social
virtues were of a high order. His man
ners were refined and pleasing and he
frail much of that high-bred courtesy
which made Andrew Jaekson so groat
o > favorite with the ladies. lie soon
distanced a5 his competitors in the
fivvor and affection of the New York
heiress. The actual engagement was
kept : & profound secret , however.though
the marked attention of the president
made the gossips talk quite freel3 % and
it became4 well nnderstoMd some months
beforethe event that 1 he White house
would so n have a new raistrcss.
A' terrible tragedy interrupted tha
rnarriage'prepairatiens : mcl delayed it a
short time : That was the explosion of
: he great gnu on board , the Princeton.
The1 Princetonwas - one of the lirst
steajn'war vessels of onrnavy , and was
inder thecommand of Commodore
Stockton. It ) carried ! two immense
guns , invention , of the commodore ,
and nametl bv him ' "Peacemaker" and
"Orator. " OnPhc23th. . of February.
L844 ; aii excursion partv sailed on the
? rinceton down- thePbtomae for the
mrpose of witnessingthe firing of
hese guns.Iti was composed of the
resident and. hiscabinvt , many sena-
ors , among whom was Senator Benton ,
other officials and their wives , and Mr.
Gardiner and his-daughter , Jnlia , who
vere not the-lcajt conspicuous of the
guests , owing- - their supposed ! rela-
ions to the president. Three success-
: ul shotswere made fronn the "Peaco-
naker" and most of the gnestA. with
.he president , retired to the saloon to
) artake of refreshments , when it was
suggested that another shot be gred.
Vmong those who : remained to witness
t were Senator Boston , Mir. Gardiner.
Mr. Upsher. secretary of state , and Mr.
jilmer , secretary of the na\y. For-
unatcly for MrBentnn , ho took his
station at therear of 1 10 gnu , but the
3th ers wore arranged along its side.
L'hc gun was fired and exploded.
JJardiner , Upsher. and sereral others
vere instantly killed a-ul several oth-
srs woundedt. Bento i was thrown
down by the concussion , but not scri-
ousl3" injured.
The bodieswere takei back to the
iresident'smansion an buried from
: hcre , and' thetragical event cast a
shadow over Washington societyfor
many weeks. Miss Gardiner returned
at once to-her home in Now York city' .
On , the 25Sh of June following the
) rcsidcnr , accompanied br his private
secretary , John Tyler , ir. . ami Commo-
lore Stocktonquietlv left Washington
uid , reached New York i-ityr the same
lay. The next daWednesday , June
27 , 184-i he was married to Miss Julia
Gardiner by the Right Rev. Bishop On-
lerdonk. The wedding party left New
fork by boat for Philadelphia and rc-
3eived the presidential salute from the
guns of the forts and United States ves
sels in New York harbor as 11103sailed
) y. Among the vessels saluting them
ras the war steamer Princeton , whose
leeks had witnessed such an awful
ragedy a few months before.
The bridal patyreached Washington
Thnrsdav * evening , and on Saturday the
> ride held her first reception in the fa
mous east room , and received the con
gratulations of her friends. A magnifi
cent bride's cake and sparkling cham-
mgne were served to the brilliant
.hrong , and the distinctions of party
mil opinion were for the moment laid
aside. The garden was thrown open
o the people , and crowds assembled
here and cheered the president and his
) ride as they appearru together on the
> ortico. The bride was 26 and the
'room 54 years of age.
But. bright and jo3'ous as it all was ,
here were a good man3cynical com
ments on it , a fair sample of which ma\-
> e seen in the diary of John Qtrincy ,
A.dams. Under date of July 1 , 1844.
and his bride
he says : Captain Tyler
are the laughing stock of the city . It
seems as if ho was racing for a prize
banner to the nuptials of the mock he
roic the sublime and the ridiculous.
Ho has assumed the war power as a
prerogative , the veto power as a ca-
wrice , the appointing and dismissing
power as a fraud for bribery , aud now ,
under circumstances of revolting inde
cency , is performing with a young girl
from New York the old fable of Janu
ary and May. It must be admitted
that old John Quincy could express him
self with considerable force when he
tried. To a person who would like to
know how the whigs regarded John Ty
ler in those da3s a few pages of this
diary will be quite sufficient.
But Tyler and his fair young bridn
heeded not the surly critics. Mrs. Ty
ler introduced much of the etiquette of
Windsor castle into the White house ,
gave magnificent dinners and balls ,
and swayed society with the easy grace
of a queen.
As the summer passed , ic became ev
ident that Tyler would not be his own
successor , earnestly as he had striven
for it. He was the nominee of a so-
called national party , but the real con
test raged between Polk and Cla3' . He
withdrew as a candidate , and threw his
influence in favor of Polk. The follow
ing winter was one of great giyety in
Washington societybut the end of the
reign of Queen Julia was near. A few
nights before the 4th of March. 1845 ,
President Tyler gave a farewell ball.
There was dancing in the east room ,
Mrs. 'Tyler loading off the lirst qua
drille with Judge Wilkins , secretary o
war. This was the last entcrtainmen
of that kind known at the White lions
for many 3'ears. Polk and his wifi
were strong Presbyterians and couiite
nauced neither drinking nor dancing.
The sideboard disappeared from the re
ceptiou room and dancing music from
the parlor. Mr. and Mrs. T\'ler retiret"
to their plantation at Hampton , nea
Richmond , and Washington society
knew them no more.
T3'ler emerged from his ob euriti
for a little time in the spring of 1801 : i
president of the peace conference a
Washington , which tried to avert the
civil war. Reforc its laborous efforts
could be concluded the guns that open
ed on Fort Sumtcr blew it into space.
T'3'ler then became a member of the
confederate congress and died a
Richmond on January 17 , 18G2.
Mr * . Tyler soon afterward came
north , and has since resided at Eas
Hampton , Long Island. She did no
receive a pension as widow of an ex
prosident until after the death of Gar-
ficld. Prior to that , however , she was
in receipt of a pension from the gov
ernment as the widow of a veteran o
the war of 1812. Tyler having served ir
that war for a short time when the
British attacked Washington. But
when a pens-ion of $5,000 was confer
red on Mrs. Gartield the pensions of
Mrs , Polk and Mrs. 'lyler were raisetl
to-the same amount. Chicago Xeivs.
Signs of Spring.
Hotr do we-know that spriiii ; has conic ?
I hear the bumble-feee * jrailv bum ,
Aud the shaded noofcs of the picnicker's pant
Serve as promenades- misrrtttiii ; ; ants ,
And the dudes on the-corners again wc ee.
Pursuing their studies in ho.-Ioree.
As the maiden trips-through theyieltlini ; mud ,
To the drug store toget sou.1stuff for her
blood ;
Aye , evervtliinjr thnft vre see ami hear
Seems to tell us thutspring' is somewhere near.
. Life.
A Napoleon of Swindlers.
A Vermont nioni named Plymouth
White died in.tiiut State-last week who
iirst and last im thirty years made
$1,500,000 on.a.capital of a gentle win
ning manner auiLan. appearance of en
tire frankness .
lie began hiscareer iiv Ms native
State by buying gre it quantities ot land
with worthle-s notes ; , mortgaging the
.and and then retiring to New York
where ho began a regular business of
swindling borrowing money ongpltl
dust and nuggets-which. he did not own.
When he was at last lodged injail he
) ersuaded an under sheriff to-advance
lim 8300,000 to-buy diamonds at a
great sacrifice , , of which : amount lie
inally robbed thedeputy of § 50.000.
[ Ie even induced the. tenthjr-Iururted
ailer to let him out of jaiL in. order to
jngago in thisentorpriHv Htiiievor
Dame back.
He went to Louisiana aml : helped to
3ount in Packard as Governor , but the
people there having no. money to lend ,
it * was forced into-honestindufftiy. He
started the raisiuir of chicken.on an
slantl off the Texas eoa > t , but a > torm
Irowned out his 10.000'fo > xvLs and M > he
lecided that honesty was no-t tlu be-t
) oliey. He robbed his- partnerand
rcditors of 8175,000 in. a d'ry < ro , > d-
business at Denver , leaving- lot of
jmpty dry goods boxesi > the only
issets. lie oftoiii made hi lotmers lx > -
iove him the souLof honor bv paving
jack their borrowed money wftu moiiuv
jorrowed : fronii otherswhom he did not
> a\ * .
aHe
He had twoor three wives at once ,
jelebrating his-marriage to the tii > t one :
jy swindling heir brother and sifter out
jf 850,000. His. wives never knew of
lis crookedness ; when he was in jail he
uade them , believe he was awav on a
jusiuess trip. Ho borrowed $50" 000 as
ecurity of oneman on a solemn prom- :
se not to cash the checks. He prompt-
y cashed thorn , aud then laughed at
lis victim. Thirty years afterward he
jailed on the man he had thus duped ,
isketl and obtained not only forgiVe-
icss , but 83.000more the .saving.of
real's giving him as securitya" blue
envelope on condition that the enve
lope should not bo opened for two
noiiths. Strange to say. his form-r
lupe agreed to this condition. The
securities were found to be worthless.
? m this White had to spend three ;
rears in Sing Sing , not , however , until
10 had been once released on false bail.
That such a man should die from a
) oil on hi * neck , is almost as inglorious
is that the great Napoleon should have
lied from a cancer in the stomach.
Detroit Free 2'rcss.
.
Touch the Spring1. :
"Mirandy darling , will you give me :
i lock of your hair , " said a love sick
hide to a girl after his own pattern.
' Yes , Charlie , if vou will give me
he key. "
Oh irosh. Kattoniti Weekly.
Overworked Brewery Employes.
To the ordinary tramp , who has to
obtain his supply of beer by pouring
stale stuff from beer kegs in front oi
saloons into empty tomato cans , from
which he quaffs , and runs chances oi
bavin" the ragged tin cut a hair lip for
him' Tt would seem that the brewery
employes , who are allowed uulinnteJ
beer free of cost , have a soft tl
And yet those men , who can drink
all day without being compelled to
up the regulation nickel , struck for
less hours of work andhigher wages.
To read the'accounts in the papers of
the amount of beer the workmen about
a brewery drink during the day , tho
reader d'oes not wonder that the men
are overworked , and asked a reduction
'
of hours. It is said that some of the men.
drink forty glasses of baer per clay. Con
sidering that * they have to walk nearly a
block , 1o the extreme end of the brew
ery 3'ard , where a gentlemanly agent of
the brewing company waits upon them
without price , it will be seen that con
siderable valuable tme is lost , besides
the wear and tear on the men. Of
course the brewery employes are able-
"
bodied men , or "thevcould not stand
the strain. Fortv glasses of beer put
into a stomach "in ten hours , would
seem to bo hard cnotig work for any
one man , if he did nothing else. Then
the necessity of walking forty blocks
and returning to work , makes eighty
blocks per day of pedestrian exercise.
This of itself is enough to make-
an ordinary man tired , if he did
not have to carry in his over
worked stomach fortyglasses of beer.
From the statistics it is plain that the
brewery laborers are tho most over
worked of any class of citixens , and
something should be done for them. It
may be outside the province of tho
humane society' to step in and protect
those men , but certainly there should
be some organization that can stand
between those men and overwork.
What is the matter with the temperance
societies , in taking hold of this grie
vance ? If the temperance societies aro
true to tncir motto , of "Faith , Hope and
Charity , " they will see a chance to do A
great work. Let each societydetail
enough of its members to man a brew-
eiy , anil tlo all tho work. This would
leave the regular cmplo3es with noth
ing to do but walk back and forth be
tween the places where the temperance
apostles are at work , and the place
where the beer is given away. The tem
perance people could work for nothing ,
for Charity : they could have Faith that
the regular brewery men would draw
their salary all right , and Hope they
would have a good time. If the tem
perance people kick on this idea , it
possible the brewers might employ
temperancemen to nstke the beer
aud dothe work , discharge the
old einplo\-es who strike , ami thua
save oceans of beer. But if it is im
practicable to employ temperance-
ple , and the brewers feel that things-
must go right along as before , they can-
save at least the time that tho men loso
in marching on tho beer kegr fortytirnes
a thiy , and save the wear and tear on
the men. by a simple devicewhich The
Sun will suggest. Each man , could bo-
provided with a coil of hose ; , tho small
rubber hose such as is used on infants'
nursing bottles. A , reel could be fixed
on tho back of each laborer , contain
ing enough of the small rubber pipe to
reach from a central tank of boor to
any part of the brewenwith a spring ,
so that when the pipe-is uncoiled , and
the laborer returns toward the tank ,
the slack will be taken up on the reel.
A Hozzle could bo arranged near the
mouth of the overworked laborer , so
that he could take
his sustenance at any
moment , wherever he happened to bo.
Of course a hundred men with hoso
reels on their backs would look odd at
iirst , but the odditywould soon wear
off. Some may think that the em
ployes of a brewery should pay tor
their beer , the same as bakers pay for
their bread in a bakerv where "they
work , shoemakers pay for their shoes ,
and jouriieymon tailors pay for their
clothes , but this
would be plainly a vio
lation of the constitution of the United
States. The strike of the breworv la
borers has shown that thev aro"tho
boot treated of aiyclass of laborers in
the country. The only thing the pub
lic wonders at that
is the brewing com
panies have not been compelled by their
LMiiplo\-e3 to give them a house and lot
and horse and buggy each. Peel ? *
Sun.
A Word to Youncr 3Ien.
It is as eas3" to be a rich man as a
poor one. Half the energy displaj-ed
in keeping ahead that is required to
jalch up when behind would save credit ,
ive more time to attend to business ,
mil add to the profit and reputation oi
.hose who work for gain. Honor vour
jngagemont. If 3-011 promise'to meet
i man , or to do a certain thing at a cer-
; ain moment , be ready at the'appointcd
ime. If you go on business , , attend
jroniptly to matters hand
on , then as
promptly go about 30111own business.
Do not stop to tell stories in business
lours.
If 3-011 have a place of business ba
ound there when wanted. No man
jau get rich by sitting around stores.
Sever "fool" on business matters !
tiavc order , system , regularitv , liber-
ilitypromptness. . Do not meddle with
Business you know nothing of. Never
juy an article you do not need , sim-
) ly because it is cheap and the man
vho sells it will take it out in trade ,
trade is money. Strive to avoid harsh
vords aud personalities. Do not kick
jvery stone in the path ; more miles can
jo made in a day by
going steadilyj > n < ,
han by stopping to kick. Pay as vou
jo. A man of honor respects his word
is he does his bond. Aid , but never
jog. Help others when you can , rfut . id
lever give what you cannot afford to
limply because it is fashionable. Learn
o say "no. " No * * * * i
necessity for snap- 1 gtl
> mg it out in dog fashion"but say it
.irmly and respectfully. Have but a
ew conhdants , and the fewer the bet-
er. Use your own brains rather than
Jiose of others. Learn to think and act
or yourself. Be vigilant. Keep ahead
rather than behind the time.
Young man. cut this out , and if there
je folly in the argument , let us know.
V