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About The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936 | View Entire Issue (March 3, 1899)
* $ $ * OR The Plying Dutchman. T * BY CAPTAIN MARRYAT. * * * CHAPTER V ( Continued. ) "And so do I , " replied Philip , "de voutly wish he would , before those murderers come ; but not , 1 trust while the attack is making , for there's a carbine loaded expressly for his head and If they make him prisoner they will not spare his life , unless his gold and your person are given in ransom But the arms , maiden where arc they ? " "Follow me , " replied Amiue , leading Philip to an inner room on the uppei floor. It was the sanctum of hei father , and was surrounded with shelves filled with bottles and boxes of drugs. In one corner was an iron chest , and over the mantel-piece were n brace of carbines and three pistols. "They are all loaded , " observed Amine , pointing to them , and laying on the table the one which she had held in her hand. Philip took down the arms and ex amined all the primings. He then took up from the table the pistol which Amine had laid there , and threw open the pan. It was equally well prepared. Philip closed the pan , and with a smile , observed : "So this was meant for me , Amine ? " ' "No not for you but for a traitor , had one gained admittance. " "Now , maiden , " observed Philip , "I shall station myself at the casement which you opened , but without a light in the room. You may remain here , and can turn the key for your se curity. " "You little know me , " replied Amine. "In thai way at least I am not fearful ; I must remain near you and reload the arms a task in which I am well practiced. " "No , no , " replied Philip , "you might be hurt. " "I may. But think you I will re main here idly when I can assist one who risks his life for me ? I know my duty , sir , and I shall perform it. " "You must not risk your life , Amine , " replied Philip ; "my aim will no * be steady if I know that you're in danger. But I must take the arms into the other chamber , for the time is come. " Philip , assisted by Amine , carried the carbines and pistols into the ad joining chamber ; and Amine then left Philip , carrying with her the light. Philip , as soon as he was alone , open ed the casement and looked out there was no one to be seen ; he listened , but all was silent. The moon was just rising above the distant hill , but her light was dimmed by fleecy clouds , and Philip watched for a few minutes ; at length he heard a whispering below. He looked out. and could distinguish through the dark four expected as sailants , Standing close to the door' of the house. He walked away softly from the window , and went into the next room to Amine , whom he found busy preparing ammunition. 1 "Amine , they are at the door , in consultation. You can see them now , without risk. I thank them , for they will convince you that I have told the truth. " _ . - Amine , without repjy , TCIit into the front room anu looked out of the win " dow. She returned , and , laying her hand upon Philip's arm , she said : "Grant me your pardon for my doubts. I fear nothing now but that ray father may return too soon , and they seize him. " Philip left the room again to make his reconnoissance. ' The robbers did not appear to have made up their minds the strength of the door defied their utmost efforts , so they attempted stratagem. They knocked , and as there was no reply , they continued to knock louder and louder ; not meeting with success , they held another con sultation , and the muzzle of a carbine was then put to the key-hole , and the piece discharged. The lock of the door was blown off , but the iron bars which crossed the door within , above -and below still held it fast. ' Although Philip would have been justified in firing upon the robbers when he first perceived them in con sultation at the door , still there is that feeling in a generous mind which pre vents the taking away of life , except t'rora stern necessity ; and this feeling made him withhold his fire until hos tilities had actually commenced. He He now leveled one of the carbines at the head of the robber nearest to the door , Who was busy examining the effect which the discharge of the piece had. made , and what further obstacles intervened. The aim was true , and the man fell dead , while the others started back with surprise at the unexpected retaliation. But in a second or two a pistol was discharged at Philip , who still remained leaning out of the case ment , fortunately without effect ; 'and the next moment he felt himself drawn away , so-as to be protected from their fire. It was Amine , who , unknown to Philip , had been standing by his side. "You must not expose yourself , Philip , " said sne > in a low tone- "She called me Philip , " thought he , but made no reply. "They will be watching for you at the casement now , " said Amine. "Take the other carbine , and go below in the passage. If the lock of the door is blown off they may put their arms in , perhaps , and remove the bars. I ' ' xn do not think they can , but I'm not sure ; at all events , it is there you should now be , as there they will not expect you. " "You are right , " replied Philip , go ing down. "But you must not fire more than once there ; if another fall , there will be but two to deal with , and they cannot watch the casement and force admittance , too. Go I will reload the carbine. " Philip descended softly , and without a light. He went to the door , and perceived that one of the miscreants , with his arm through the hole where the lock was blown off , was working at the upper iron bar , which he could just reach. He presented his carbine , and was about to fire the whole charge into the body of the man under his raised arm , when there was a report of firearms from the robbers outside. "Amine has exposed herself , " Philip , "and may be hurt. " The desire of vengeance prompted him first to fire his piece through the man's body , and then he flew up the stairs to ascertain the state of Amine. She was not at the casement ; he dart ed into the inner room , and found her deliberately loading the carbine. "My God ! how you frightened me , Amine. I thought by their firing that you had shown yourself at the win dow. " "Indeed , I did not ! but I thought that when you fired through the door they might return the fire , and you be hurt ; so I went to the side of the casement and pushed out on a stick some of my father's clothes , and they who were watching for you fired im mediately. " "Indeed , Amine ! who could have ex pected such courage and such coolness in one so young and beautiful ? " ex claimed Philip , with surprise. "Are none but ill-favored people brave , then ? " replied Amine , smiling. "I did not mean that , Amine but I am losing time. I must to that door again. Give me that carbine and re load this. " Philip crept downstairs that he might reconnoiter , but before he had gained the door he heard at a dis tance the voice of Mynheer Poots. Amine , who also heard it , was in a mo ment at his side with a leaded pistol in each hand. "Fear not , Amine , " said Philip , as he unbarred the door , "there are but two , and your father shall be saved. " The door was opened , and Philip , seizing his carbine , rushed out ; he found Mynheer Poets on the ground between the two men , one of whom had raised his knife to plunge it into his body , when the ball of the carbine whizzed through his head. The last of the robbers closed with Philip , and a desperate struggle ensued ; it was , however , soon decided by Amine step ping forward and firing one of the pis tols through the robber's body. We must here inform our readers that Mynheer Poets , when coming home , had heard the report of fire arms in the direction of his own house. The recollection of his daughter and af his money for to do him justice , he lid love her best had lent him wings ; fie forgot that he was a feeble old man and without arms ; all he thought of was to gain his habitation. On he came , reckless , frantic and shouting , and he rushed into the arms of the two robbers , who seized and would have dispatched him , had not Philip so opportunely come to his assistance. As soon as the last robber fell Phil ip disengaged himself and went to the issistance of Mynheer Poets , whom tie raised up in his arms and carried into the house as if he were an infant. The old man was still in a state of ielirium , from fear and previous ex citement. In a few minutes Mynheer Poets svas more coherent. "My daughter ! " exclaimed he , "my laughter ! where is she ? " "She is here , father , and safe , " re- ilied Amine. "Ah ! my child is safe , " said he , jpening his eyes and staring. "Yes , it is even so and my money my noney where is my money ? " contin- , ied he , starting up. "Quite safe , father. " "Quite safe ; you say quite safe are , -ou sure of it ? Let me see. " "There it is , father , as you may per- : eive , quite safe thanks to one whom , -o.u have not treated so well. " "Who what do you mean ? Ah , , 'es , I see him 'tis Philip Vanderdeck- ; n he owes me three guilders and a lalf , and there is a vial did he savu rou and my money , child ? " "He did , indeed , at the risk of his ife. " "Well , well , I w .l forgive him the vhole debt yes , the whole of it ; but the vial is of no use to him he nust return that. Give me some wat- : r. " It was some time before the old man lould regain his perfect reason. Philip eft him with his daughter , and , tak- ng a brace of loaded pistols , v/ent out o ascertain the fate of the four as- lailants. The moon , having climbed ibove the bank of clouds which had ibscured her , was now high in the leavens , shining bright , and he could listinguish clearly. The two men ly- ng across the threshold were quite dead. The others , who had seized up on Mynheer Poets , were still alive , but one was expiring and the other bled fast. Philip put a few questions to the latter , but he either would not or could not make any reply ; he removed their weapons and returned to the house , where he found the old man attended by his daughter , in a state of compara tive composure. "I thank you , Philip Vanderdecken I thank you very much. You have saved my dear child and my money that is little , very little for I am poor. May you live long and happily ! " Philip mused ; the letter and his vow were , for the first time since he fell in with the robbers , recalled to his recollection , and a shade passed over his countenance. "Long and happily no , no , " mutter ed he , with an involuntary shake of his head. "And I must thank you , " said Am ine , looking inquiringly in Philip's face. "Oh , how much I have to thank you for ! and , indeed , I am grateful ! " "Yes , yes , she is very grateful , " in terrupted the old man ; but we are poor very poor. I talked about my money because I have so little and I cannot afford to lose it ; but you shall not pay me the three guilders and a half I am content to lose that , Mr. Philip. " "Why should you lose even that , Mynheer Poets ? I promised to pay you , and will keep my word. I have plenty of money thousands of guil ders , and know not what to do with them. " "You you thousands of guilders ! " exclaimed Poots. "Pooh ! nonsense ! that won't do. " "I repeat to you , Amine , " said Phil ip , "that I have thousands of guilders ; you know I would not tell a falsehood. " "I believed you when you said so to my father , " replied Amine. "Then , perhaps , as you have so much and I am so very poor , Mr. Vander decken " But Amine put her hand upon her father's lips , and the sentence was not finished. ' "Father , " said Aniine , "it is time that we retire. You must leave us for tonight , Philip. " "I will not , " replied Philip ; "nor , you may depend upon , will I sleep. You may both to bed in safety. It is indeed time that you retire good night. Mynheer Poets , I will ask but a lamp , and then I leave you Amine good-night. " "Good-night , " said Amine , extending her hand , "and many , many thanks. "Thousands of guilders ! " muttered the old man , as Philip left the room and went below. ( To be continued. ) STORYETTES. Mr. T. , a business man , rents desk room in his office to Mr. B. , whence the following story : "Is Mr. B. in ? asked a caller. "No , " replied Mr. T. , thinking he recognized an unwelcome caller. "Well , I'll wait for him , " re plied the caller , sitting down. At 5 o'clock he was still waiting. At 5:30 still waiting. A few minutes before G Mr. T. closed his desk for the day and prepared to go home. The caller ven tured to ask if Mr. B. was likely to return to his office that day. Mr. T. answered : "No ; he is in Sacramento , and will be back next Tuesday morn ing. " The caller showed no anger. On the contrary , he smiled. "Don't apolo gize , " he said ; "my business is not important , and your office has proved a pleasant lounging place. Fact is , " he blandly added , "I suppose I'm coming down with the smallpox , and the doc tor told me I must stay indoors and keep warm. " Rudyard Kipling , when he was a student in the United Service college , in North Devon , says one who knew him , was known as "Gigs , " because of the glasses he wore. About the mid dle of his school life he entered into a strong tie of friendship with two other boys. The trio are said to have led a kind of bohemian existence , as related in the "Stalky" stories. Kip ling was the "Beetle. " During these 'four or five years it could hardly be said that Kipling was a. prodigy. He was always extremely near-sighted , which was perhaps the reason for his not taking any very keen interest in either field sports or ithletics. On the other hand , he was not always to be seen poring over his books. He was seldom at the top of tils class , although when he left the college in 1882 he carried with him Lho well-earned first prize in English literature. He was chiefly noticeable in his schoolfellows' eyes for a keen wit and a flow of language that could anly be suppressed by depriving hiir jf his spectacles. For two years Kipling was editor o' the College Chronicle , during whicl period many bright verses and clevei irticles from his pen appeared in that little journal. The position led to his Irst newspaper engagement under level and amusing circumstances. The lead master of the college was chair- aian of the local board , and he was jeing attacked by the local paper. The ocal editor , probably seeing some of [ Kipling's work , entered into an ar- angcment with him to goad the head naster into the indiscretion of a reply , rhe next issue contained a series of irticles written in such poignant , sar- : astic terms that everybody began to 'alk about the matter. The head nias- er was compelled to take up his pen n self-defense , and eventually he re- ligned' bis chair. They Always S.iy It. "Queer about the actor who made he little speech before the curtain ast night , wasn't it ? " "What was' queer about him ? " "He didn't say it seemed like get- ing home when be came here to fill Us engagement. " PROTECTIONS WORK. ALREADY DONE AND YET TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. Important Results of an Economic Sys tem by Which a Country Encourages tlio Development of Its Oirii ICe- Kourccs. At the annual meeting of the Amer ican Protective Tariff League First Vice-President Cannon read the fol lowing address , which was listened to with profound attention , and called forth many expressions of approval : "In determining on the future policy of our league it may not be unprofit able to briefly review the past , and in that connection to consider the duties of our league as well as its accomplish ments. "The war with Spain , hostilities commencing on April 18 and terminat ing on August 20 ( a period of about 100 days ) , resulting In a practical de struction of the Spanish navy , posses sion of Cuba , Porto Rico and Manila by our army and navy , and armistice and the terms of peace practically set tled , constitutes a national record of success which has no parallel in his tory , and is so recognized by the domi nant nations of Europe. But there appear to be other achievements in a commercial revolution which are far more significant , important and profit able a conquest by our industries. As proof of our commercial supremacy the eminent statistical ! Mulhall says : " 'Statistics of our production and trade prove that the United States leads with agricultural products great er than the United Kingdom and Rus sia combined ; in manufactures with a product greater than the aggregate output of the factories of the United KingdomFrance , Austria-Hungary and Belgium combined ; in machinery with a steam power greater than the Unitec Kingdom , Austria-Hungary and Italy combined ; in mining with a produci greater than the United Kingdom and France combined ; in railway transpor tation with a mileage 40 per cent greater than all Europe ; in forestry greater than all Europe and nearly one-half of the total product of the world ; in fisheries with a product greater than the United Kingdom , Rus sia and Germany combined. ' "From the same authority we learn that the United States is $20,000,000,000 richer than Great Britain. "The total exports per capita have grown from $11.37 in 1895 to $12.11 in 1896 , to $14.17 in 1897 and to $16.68 in 1898 an increase of nearly 50 per cent in three years. "The exports of manufactured prod ucts have been even more striking in their growth in proportion to the per capita of total exports , showing an in crease of about 75 per cent in five years. "Our conspicuous weakness is in our commercial marine. Our strength in this direction would be speedily in creased if a protective policy to offset the unequal competition of the subsi dized ships of European nations was adopted by this country. It is to be hoped that a measure having in view the adequate protection of our mer chant marine will be adopted by con gress. "Brilliant as has been our success in war , which inevitably immensely in creased national taxation , it is to com mercial success that we must look for the permanent enrichment of our pee ple. "In considering the causes which have effected this wonderful increase of exports , and especially our exports of manufactures , no one can dispute that our periods of progress and wealth have been during the existence of pro tective tariffs , and that these condi tions have been Invariably reversed under low tariffs in the direction of free trade. At no time in our history has this fact been more conspicuous than at present. Under the Dingley tariff , in strong contrast with the pe riod of depression , diminished produc tion and insufficient employment of labor under the Wilson tariff , the In crease of exports has made us a cred itor nation , and the decrease in im ports simply indicates that our wants have been supplied by domestic indus tries. "With abundant crops our manu factures and mechanical industries taxed to their full productive capacity , and with a high scale of wages , and pet with money so abundant and cheap l.hat the rate of interest is less than in Europe , we have become a creditor na tion. We must continue , with our ? reat natural resources , aided by our enterprise and skill , to hold this su preme position. But perhaps no one igency has been so potent in obtain ing this result as that which has wrought the wonderful development of nir metal industry under protection. "Political economists recognize that .he commercial supremacy of England was based on the possession of the iseful metals and fuel ; but these es sential products are now more exten sively developed and possessed by us .han by any other nation , and I think t may be claimed that this rapid suc- : ess of a great industry has no prece- lent. "Thirty years ago a large part of > ur iron and steel was imported. No Bessemer steel was made in this coun ty. To-day we mine coal and make iron and steel at a less cost than any jther nation , thus reversing the course if trade by exporting to the markets Tom which we formerly Imported. "The cost of steel rails in 1872 laid lown in this country , duty paid , \vns > 130 per ton ; to-day steel rails made icre are marketed at $18 per ton ; thus n twenty-five years this infant in the mrsery has developed into an Indus- rial Hercules. "As the direct result of protection , lapital has been encouraged to develop nines and to construct plants which are admitted to be the most perfect in machinery , appliances and economies. For the calendar year 1898 there stands to the credit of the United States , as the result of an enormous excess of exports * over imports , a favorable mer chandise balance amounting to over $621,000,000. "We have thus , under this wise na tional policy , become the great cred itor nation of the earth , and commer cial balances must now be settled on this side of the Atlantic , and our con dition changed from a borrower to a lender of credits and money. "This remarkable success has , in a large measure , been effected by the in telligent , patriotic and persistent ef forts of the Protective Tariff League , in educating our people to the value of an economic system by which a coun try pursues the policy of encouraging the development of its natural re sources and of giving employment to its labor , rather than letting its re sources lie dormant and buying the products of foreigners. As members of the league we may well feel content that our organization has been the active agent in accomplishing such beneficent results , and that no change will be made in our imposts or excise laws or our standard of value during this administration or the life of our next congress. " On motou of Mr. Thropp , the address of Colonel Cannon was adopted as the sentiment of the league and ordered published in the official report of the proceedings. STARTLING FIGURES. British toss Under Free Trade and American Gains Under Protection. A Paris cablegram of Jan. IS records the fact that the French imports for 1898 increased $84,033,600 , while the exports decreased $90,957,000. Still more undesirable conditions appear in the returns of the British Board of Trade. For the year 1898 the United Kingdom purchased foreign merchan dise of the value of $2,353,020,990 , an increase of $97,876,190 over the total imports for 1897. Great Britain in 1898 sold to foreign countries merchandise valued at $1,166,953,960 , this being a decrease of $4.144,580 from the value of exports for the preceding year , and leaving on the debit side of the trade ledger the huge sum of $1,236,067,030 as representing the difference between purchases from and sales to foreign countries. In view of these figures it is not surprising that thoughtful people in Great Britain are seriously questioning whether , after all , the protective sys tem of the United States has not some very positive advantages over British free trade. Looking at the year's rec ord for this country , they find a start ling disparity in the fiscal showing. They find that for the full calendar year 1898 the United States has con siderably surpassed Great Britain in the gross volume of export trade , the total for our country being $1,254,925- 169 , against $1,166,953,960 for Great Britain , and that instead of a debit balance of more than a billion and a quarter dollars , this protected nation of ours shows a favorable credit bal ance of $621,260,635. Adding the Brit ish deficit and the American surplus together , it is found that the margin between the net trade exhibits of he two countries is $1,857,327,660. It is an enormous sum , but it is the correct measure of the difference between the commercial losses of Great Britain un der free trade and the commercial gains of the United States under pro tection for the year 1S9S. Work for Him. Gentleman Why don't you stop begging and go to work ? Tramp I can't find anything to do in my line. Gentleman What is your line ? Tramp I was an American sailor. What Discriminating Duties Will Do. The people pay out annually $200- 000,000 in freights and fares to foreign countries , every dollar of which should find its way into American pockets. The charges of a single year would build the finest merchant marine afloat , or thejr would build and equip a serv iceable canal across the isthmus. The usual form of subsidy is a delusion. It will build a few ships , but the pledged policy of the Republican party , the ) olicy of the fathers of the republic of Washington , Adams and Jefferson , will mild the greatest merchant marine in ; he world. Sympathy for our neigh bors is a good thing in its place , but ; he material welfare of the American people should be preferred to that of any other people or combination of peoples. Baltimore American. AH Kliuls of Money. It requires a great deal of assurance for any Democrat to assert that the Dingley tariff is not a success as a evenuo producer , when the figures show that the national treasury is tilled with all kinds of money. Spring field (111. ) Journal. The Russian peasant who can not af ford to buy tobacco makes his own ci gars out of cabbage leaves and writing paper. WOOL AND THE TARIFF. Prices Materially Advanced Under the Operations of the Dlngloy I > w. n It Is a quite common thing for persons , I sons who find themselves puzzled over some problem relating to tariff and j . prices to formulate inquiries based up on a misapprehension of facts. First they presuppose a condition which jf does not exist , and then ask questions as to why things are thus and so. Such seems to have been the case with a Democratic Inquirer out in Califor nia , as set forth by Mr. T. R. Weaver , * f of San Jose , in the following letter to the Secretary of the American Protec if tive Tariff League : I have a young Democratic friend who asked me to-day to explain to him the reason why wool having been worth 18 cents a pound under the "Wil M son bill is now only worth 11 cents under the Dingley bill , which advances the duty considerably over that levied by the Wilson bill. i The matter was referred to Mr. The odore Justice , of the wool commission t house of Justice , Bateman & Co. , of Philadelphia , and a reliable authority upon wool values , whose reply is so clear and conclusive as to deserve re printing in full , as follows : Philadelphia , Nov. 26 , 1S98 , Mr. Wil bur F. Wakenian , Secretary Amerfcan Protective Tariff League , New Xk City. Dear Sir. You say your Demer- cratic friend asked you why wool which was worth IS cents per pcrarrd under the Wilson law is only worth 11 cents. We do not believe any such condition exists. Shropshire wool is to-day worth 21 to 22 cents here , while the same is worth only 11 or 12 cents in London to-day. This is as much as the tariff of 11 cents per pound can lift the American price above the Lon don value. Under the Wilson law Shropshire unwashed wool from Indi ana and Ohio was worth 14 cents , while to-day it is worth 21 or 22 cents. The foreign market is lower to-day than it was under the free wool Wilson law. But for the Dingley tariff act the London price would be the Ameri can price. That is to say. but for the Dingley tariff act wool which is now worth 11 or 12 cents in London would be worth only 11 or 12 cents here in stead of 21 or 22 cents , the price of to-day. We inclose some of our wool circu lars which show how much the tariff act has lifted the price of domestic wool during the various periods since the passage of the act. At present there is a downward tendency to wool prices all over the world. There has been much talk of a famine in fine merinos in the markets of the world , but in spite of the expected famine prices for this class of wool have dropped 10 per cent , within 60 days in the London market. There has been a similar decline in American mar kets , probably in sympathy with the decline in foreign markets. To recur to the question of Shrop shire wools , the price in London to-day for the latter is 25 per cent , lower than it was in 1S92 , while the price for the same wool in the United States is only 16 per cent , lower than it was in 1892. But for the Dingley tariff act prices here would be 25 per cent , lower than they were in 1892 as they are in England. Justice , Bateman & Co. The statements in the above letter are fully borne out by the wool quota tions current for the past year and a half , or since the enactment of tlw Dingley law. Children ot Revolution. The Fort Washington Society , Chil dren of the American Revolution , held its meeting on Saturday , February 5. Owing to the examination in the schools the past week several mem bers who were on the programme re quested to be excused until the next meeting. Those who were prepared had very interesting papers. The pro gramme was as follows : Paper , "Some of My Ancestors , " Sally Balke ; piano solo , "May's Delight. " Louise Irwin ; recitation , Howard Gleason ; paper , by Mary Ridgway , "Life of Andrew Jack son" ; music. Miss Strunk. The annual congress of the Children of the American Revolution will be held in Washington. D. C. , February 17 to 23 inclusive. The Fort Washing ton Society is entitled to four delegates president , secretary and one for every twenty-five members. The Cin cinnati chapter for children will have an excellent report at the congress. Those members who worked for the soldiers and gave money for the cause will receive from the president. Gen- 2ral Mrs. Lothrop , a souvenir. One of " 3ur members , Clifford Greve. enlisted for two years , and is now home on 'urlough , ranking as sergeant. His lame has been sent to the president- general. Miss Alice Bird and Mis ? Edith Judkins will be transferred to : he Cincinnati chapter. Daughters o .he American Revolution. > 'ow Is tlio Time. While our ship yards are building varships , they are able to build nerchant ships more economically ban when their yards are idle. News s the time , therefore , while we are mildtng a great navy , to build a great Vmerican merchant marine. The se- ret of the cheapness and quickness vith which merchant ships are turned mt in Great Britain is in the vast [ tuintity of warship building that is ilways going on. Let us take a lea * mt of England's book in this respect ind do likewise while we have tha imc. Canulon ( X. J. ) Telegram. Policy. The free ship cry is a humbug , and iroved to be , because England is n free hip country , and yet is obliged to rely : pen subsidies. Philadelphia Inquirer.