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About The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 11, 1889)
V u y & IT snv- U ( t "J ft- JTSC2 2 vr; The New Coal Find on the Boriiagtoa Extension. SIXTY MILLION TONS IN SKAT. u nwllli T ths Omtwwt-Keeesrt to Ceal YMICht-XrebnMte as (SMCiSl OtRHHHIMtJ Lkcols, Neb., Dec. . Much attem tion has for the last two yesrs beea ex cited by reports of coal fields to the ' northwest of Nebraska, as there are few things of more general importance than the fuel supply. The Elkhora road pen etrated to coal beds a couple ofyears ago, bat the article produced and to some extent marketed was hardly up to the requirements for competition with the well known Colorado and Bock Springs varieties. It having been asserted that the sew find on the Burlington exten sion was of a quality equal to the best, y oar correspondent looked the matter up and presents the sum of the information gained. The coal-bed now being oper ated upon is Bear Newcastle at the end of a spur from the main line of tbeG. L and W. C. division of the Burlington, 'and is about 500 miles from Lincoln. Trass Coal. The bed of coal under discussion is not, apparently at least, part of a continuous field underlying a large stretch of coun try. On the contrary, it has probably been formed by a drift of material, in prehistoric times, a vast mass of vegeta tion piled in a tremendous heap by the monstrous currents of those times. After being deposited, and before it could de cay in the ordinary course of events, it was covered by sediment, and thus pre served and compreftued into coal Such deposits or pockets are known as' 'tramp" coaL Tins particular bed isa found to be underlaid and covered by sandstone of great hardness. As to the period when deposited, an expert would be re quired to even guess but it was proba bly in the early days of the uplift that produced the Rocky mountains. To the pressure induced by that uplift is proba bly due the intense hardness and uni form quality of the coal which, by the way, has been named Oil creek, from its location. Its presence is a geological puzzle, but it is there, and like the hip pocket in the trousers of a Kentucky colonel, it comes mighty handy. The rem does not crop out from the ground where it was originally exposed by ero sion, for the reason that thecroppings took fire and the seam has burned back 100 to 200 feet underground, leaving scoria! and ashes as evidence of the for mer staataf things. The First Kepert of coal in that vicinity was made by M W. Ensign, engineer in the employ of the Burlington, who was then locating lines northwestward. He learned of it from a ranch blacksmith in the vicinity. The railroad contracting firm of Kflpatrick Bros. A Collins, with ex Auditor J. B. Weston and some other men of capital, made arrangements to develop the find. Upon ascertaining its probable value and extent . they se cured the land from the governmentand induced the Burlington and Missourfto extend its line. The personnel of the company, as now constituted, is not gen erally known, but probably includes sev eral heavy Nebraska capitalists. The railroad company has no interest in the mine, I am assured on the best possible authority, except as it may get business from the transportation of the product The place of operation is in gulch where the creek has worn a channel to a depth some ninety feet be low the coal seam, the track running along the bottom and making the facil ities for loading the best imaginable. The gulch is about five hundred feet wide, making ample room for side tracks ' and storage. Mr. T. E. Calvert, general superintendent cf the B. and 35., says there are now Sixty Millies Taw la Slht, and the inference is reasonable that the exhaustion of the supply is a matter of the far future. Mr. Calvert described a teat made of Oil creek and Rock springs coals in open grates. The lat ter burned more rapidly, the tendency being to open out under the influence of heat. The Oil creek burned more slowly and steadily and left less ash. .On Oct. 1 an engine made a round trip, using Oil creek coal Amount, 5,2-50 pounds. Water evaporated, 2,935 gallons, show ing a percentage of .555. The same en gine on the 3d made the same trip, using Rock springs coal Amount, 5,180 pounds. Water evaporated, 2,793 gal lons, giving a percentage of .540. Both were good results, but the alight differ ence was in favor of the Oil creek, es tablishing it among the very best coals in the country, if not putting it at the hand of the list of soft fuel coals. The result of this test is that the Burlington and afissouii has contracted for the de livery cf 530 tons per day for its use. This wfll supply all its lines in Nebraska west of Lincoln, including 'this point The iraantrh- mrrrt by the entire system is near 1,000 tons per day. The output of the mine is now about that quantity, but it will be doubled by the 1st of January. It is expected that by the middle of De cember there will be a supply available for commercial purposes and it will be put on sale all over the state, It Is 3ft FNktU that violent competitaon will ensue, or that prices will be greatly reduced, if at alL but some effect will doubtless be felt in course of time. There is almost no limit to the quantity that may be turned out, as the vein varies from eight and one half to ten feet of clean, solid coal. There are two openings in the vein, one on each side of the canon, one of them penrfrsting 500 feet The mining is lone by machinery, as the coal is too hard for the pick, and there is besides a SBssXernusnbsrefnsm employed. l"ai avoids to some extent the danger of strikes and other labor trouble, as the sen necessary to run the marhiawry are well paid. TheLegge machine is used. The working part of it somewhat resent hies the cylinder of a thrashing machine anted with short strong steel knives that hook out the coal, circular saw fashion, as the cylinder revolves. It is Man to the breast as it cuts, and when thehettom is removed to a sufficient depth across the face of the drift, holes am drilled in the coal atove. These be iaw charged and fired, the coal breaks mm loaded into cars and l to the entrance,where it m chnted ad can below. The Oil seven miles from New- the ensue and the spar has such heavy to aP trains ,"""" afhWn-vn line, and there k no tolling aha way at advancing nut thw est Than ahsus it has even that fe doabtfuL Than as aasne outside talk and specula tfmsiial rwrianmg ta hue to the Yel stwatsne nark, has than secant to bens hvtnr mmm vfluhj mmmmmTmmtimmtimlffiffifalNtimmWtmxTi a -TJmit 'WlvfriV? -mf 'Kr'''- At: " coal It quality, pies OVi respect to ville. Pa., a as this is necessarily alow, and there is noway of finding out what sort of ar- rangeaaents may be made by use coal magnates with the old coal nates, but I am assured that effort will be made by the Oil Creek people to supply the whole of Nebraska with all the high grade coal that is oeeded for current consumption. We wfll know more about that feature of the case next falL A long and bitter coal war wfll be the moat frequent subject of approach to the altar of prayer in Nebraska for some tanteto come, anyway. If it comes weU and good. If it doesn't, then we can aU upbraid the "monopoly tyrantsn with the comforting and sustaining certainty that they cannot help hearing us. . Aa Interesting Country is that in the vicinity of Newcastle and the mines, but I have not seen it person ally. It is wild, rough, barren, moun tainous, dry and distorted; Good water is scarce, but Mr. Calvert says this diffi culty is more apparent than real There is plenty of good water to be had by dig ging in the right places for it. as he has personally demonstrated at Newcastle. But I hope to make a' tour of that section some day and then I will write about it from sight There are vast promises by the en thusiasts extant to the effect that oil, coal and other minerals abound in that part of Wyoming, and it may be true. If so we may expect railroad extension to the holes where these blessings exude or are extracted as the case maybe. It is better to have those things brought to us in exchange for what we produce than to have them mined right under our noses. This ascertain will strike most readers as a little wild, but that it a solemn though unappreciated fact I am ready to maintain. Dairying I the Thins. The recent capture of the leading prizes by Nebraska at the national dairy show simply empliasizes what all shrewd observers have known for years. This state is without a peer in natural facili ties for producing milk, butter and cheese. The conditions of the atmos phere, its purity degree of moisture and general temperature, are mostfavorable. The grasses, wild and tame, areun equaled for texture and nutri tion, the ' grain food of the dairy cow is abundant and cheap, the health and fecundity of cattle are nowhere better. These favorable condi tions combine to make Nebraska just a little better dairy state than any other in the Union, and the fact lias been unde niably proved by the receipt of the high est prizes in the competition with the whole country. In view of the profita ble, all-the-year-round tViaracter of the dairy business, it is not likely that too much importance can be attached to the gratify' g state of facts. A vigorous and g neral prosecution of this iine will go far toward relieving the admittedly dull state of our agricultural interests. There la aa Impression quite widely prevalent that the depres sion in the cattle trade and breeding has reached bottom. For some time prices have been reasonably steady in the great beef marts, and while those prices do not warrant any profits on investments made back in the days of boom, there is no doubt that there is room for making money in the business now. To get the money out the producer of feeders must work harder and take less for his two-year-olds. The feeder must buy close, pay a low rate of interest, house his stock well, feed it economically and be able to market at the most opportune moment These conditions may seem hard in the bald recitation, but they per tain to every other business. The stock man can not reasmably claim exemp tion from the universal rule. When this is everywhere understood and intelli gently accepted as is now widely be ginning to be the case there will be a new eia in the cattle business. Apropas of Coal, it is timely to speak of the recent reduc tion of coal freights by the board of transportation. At first blush it appears to be no reduction at all, Imt there may be something in it It is a recognized fact that the board has nn jurisdiction over rates on shipments originating out side the state. It is said to be a fact that practically no coal shipments are made from point to point within the state. When a local dealer has an order for a car of coal be simply has it sent directly from the mine to the buyer, thus removing the freight rate from the control of the board, and at the same time doubtless effecting a saving for the buyer. It is alleged, however, that away down deep in the heart of the cocoanut there is a drop or two of milk. The guess may be given for what it is worth. The Burlington crosses the Ilk horn at Crawford. It will have coal' or dealers in fuel will have it that the people along the Elkhorn line may want By making the tender of the coal to the Elkhorn at Crawford the dealer will have the shipment entirely local and thus subject to state regula tions. In this case the people on the Elkhorn line may reap some advantage. It is true that the Burlington has made no objection to the schedule proposed by the board, while the other roads have fought it, so there may be some benefit to seme consumers arise from it Les the amount of the reduction beoverest timated I append a schedule showing The DiSerence. Ordered Old Rate. Rate. Foot nnndred mile haul S3 70 S3 79 Three hundred and fifty mile anal 2 50 2 75 Three hundred mile haul 2 30 210 Two hundred and fifty mile haal 2 US , 2 X Two "hundred mile haul 1 W 2 SO -One hundred and fifty mile haul 1 50 1 70 Dne hundred mile haul. 120 1 48 Seventy-five mile haul. lOi 120 Fifty mile haul 80 SO Twenty-five mile haul CO 7 To a rank outsider it would seem that there is so little reduction that it does not justify much kicking by the roads, the average being a trifle over 10 per cent., c from 10 to 30 cents per ton. This -.IL find its way into the pocket of tu- dealer in all probability. But in these days of almost universal warfare against railroads the public doesn't look very carefully where the spoils of the conflict go. J. D. Galhouh. ith as Coldness ef Clothiac. Clothing possesses no warmth in itself; but, as it is more or less a poor conduc tor of heat, it prevents the escape of the bodily warmth. Woolen fabrics contain a large quantity of air entangled in their meshes which, being a poor conductor of heat, adds considerably to the warmth of clothing made from them. In hot weather we wear light cotton or linen clothing so aa to allow as much of the bodfly heat to escape aa possible. There is n prejudice in favor of light colored clothing for summer wear, but it is hard ly baaed on scientific grounds. Dark colored cloth is the best radiator, allow ing the bodily heat to escape freely, while white clothing absorbs kss'of the beat radiated directly from the Therefore, to dress scientifically in mer one should wear dark clothing in the shade and light clothing when exposed to the sun's rays. Practically, the mat ter of appearance is the only ens to he s the warmth or coolness of utsasjsy, saw at sasss Jsws,auMBMaslsssri away, ssssssr saa avsyss wbsbb A NOBLE FAILURE. ing, a melody played by no skillful hand. It was soft and naournful that a few hearers, who had stopped jnst evudde the fence, atood very still aa if afraid of missing a note; and they spoke in whisper only: "Poor Ted! He's very sad to-night " "Yes; sadder than usual." "Poor lad! Its such a pity." One of them who had seemed mora deeply touched by the sweet tones than the others, atood very thoughtful for a little, then left the group and opened the gate. No sooner had the latch clicked than the muslo ceased, and as he walked ts the open door Ida hands were tightly clasped between two others, and a. sof c voicff sjrrlainieri "Oh. it's you, Hal I'm so glad." "How did yon know that it was I, TedT asked Hal, laying a hand affec tionately on tho others ahonlder. "My ears are very quick. I knewyoa by the way you opened the gate, and your step. It is such a kind provision that when wa loss one sense the others grow sharper. Lead aa to the window, Hal; r ve something to teU you." The blind boy spoke the last words very sadly, and tho other, knowing by it that he was to hear some serious trouble, led him, with compassionate tenderness, to an easy chair by the window. Two years before, by an accidental ex plosion of powder, an impenetrable veil of darkness had been drawn between Ted's eyes and the manifold beauties of earth, blotting out bright hopes and fair prospects of a happy and successful fu ture. The blow was dreadful to' such a lad as he so merry, so active, so prom ising. , Hal Goodwin was just Teds age sev enteen a healthy, strong-limbed fellow with a heart as big as his body. The two had been fast friends, but when Ted became a helpless object of pity Hal's friendship row to a strong, controlling affection. He could not be reconciled to his friend's "hard luck," as he called it "Now, what is itT asked Hal, as they were seated by the window. "Maybe I worry you, or tire yon, Hal with my complaining," responded the blind boy, feeling about for his friend's hand. "Worry me," exclaimed Hal, closely grasping the groping hand, "Don't talk like that I would be worried if I thought yon didnt tell me all your troubles. What am I good for if not to straighten out your difficulties, and try to be eyea for you? Dear knows, they're poor enough. Never be afraid of worry ing me or asking me too much." "You're so kind, Hal" "Nonsense, I wish I was." "Why, Hal," began Ted, "since father was discharged, with the other men at the shop, it has gone pretty hard with us. You know we bought the organ on instalments. It's about half paid for, but father wasnt able to pay 'the last in stalment, and the man kindly gave him time. But now another one is due next Saturday, and wa cannot ask him to wait any longer." "How much is due?" asked Hal, with evident meaning. But Ted detected it and hastened to say: "No, no, Hal, you musn't pay for it, for you've done more already for me than yon ought and besides, you told me your father had cut down your spend ing money, rve made up my mind what to da I want yon to write to the man to come for the organ." "Part with the organ," cried Hal In astonishment Why, what in the world would you do without it, Ted?" "Please write the letter for me, Hal" said Ted, laying his head on his friend's arm. "I tried to write it for I dont want father or Lacy to know what I'm doing but I lifted the pen and couldn't find the .place again, and had to give it up. No, don't try to change my mind, Hal I've thought it ail out, and it'll hurt me if yon dont write it I can learn to knit or make baskets, or plait cane for chairs, or something, which wiU be better than playing the organ. I think I can I can learn to do without it, Hal, so please write the letter." Knowing how completely lost Ted would be without the organ; how it was his only companion in his solitude and how great a help itbsd been since the accident Hagently endeavored to dis suade him, but finding it only pained him he eat down to tho table to write. He could not restrain the tears as he saw there Ted's pathetic attempt to writej all blurred and unreadable. "What day ahalllteU him to come for itT asked Hal taking up the pen. "Thursday," replied Ted. "No, Fri day, Hal rdrd like to have two days with it Hal" "That's right," said Ted, approvingly. "Now, please mail it to-night and prom ise me you wont say anything about it to father and Lacy." Hal hesitated a asoment then prom ised. . "Now ten ass about your bicycle race," said Ted. "When yon are going and all about it" This was opening a subject absorbing ly interesting to Hal He was proud of his "wheel" and unflagging in his seal tosustainthe reputation he had justly acquired of being the most expert rider in the village. "We nre going to the city on Friday. From there wellrace beck to the village, the first one riding the fifteen miles from there here being the winner. Three of the best city riders are going to try our strength. There are soma tough hflls coming this way, and some of the fel lows here amy I aar afraid with those city men, for fear I lose my record. It would be pretty hard on me if I failed, but I wont back 'down and I intend to win. One of the ctty riders brags so that I want to outride him in particular. ItHbea great race, and wiU decide a long rivalry." "How I should like to see yon coma in the winner," amid Ted, sadly. "I re number how I used to like to watch you riding." " And Td give worlds, Ted, to ass you riding again," rassfiliitl Hal, sorrow fully. "Ahl thatH never be. But it's a little coarfort to rft and picture to myself how you look so strong and graceful and to think what a pleasure riding is to you. Do try and win the race, Hal" - to the gate; and 'sorrowfully told him tamartletTedsorsaaro. He wm deeply grieved at the son of it. Irons an open window auasnuT1,Bsi cottage, there casss, one snsnaMr even KaBKmgly in favor of tlssfoUowing Fri day that it was settled. This picniowaa a great affair, in the village, both old and young being invited, and there was always a royal time. It may seem strange that Hal should want it on the day of the bicycle race, unless one might think that, as tho route of the race lay through the picnio woods, ha desired to show off to the crowd, as ha would go spinning by far in advance of his competitors; but wa wfll not be lieve that of Hal for, indeed, he had a far nobler motive. He thoughtfully saw that if Ted could be taken to the picnio on Friday he would be spared the pain' of being at home whan the organ was taken away. When he went to Ted's house the next morning Ted was so absorbed in music thatHsl's entrance was unnoticed, and he amt down quietly so as notto inter rupt him. He was playing his farewell piece, and it was so mournful and mani fested so clearly the unspeakable pain of parting with the instrument that he could scarcely restrain the impulse to exclaim: "Ted, it must not be; I must spare you this toss." But presently the blind lad stopped ran his fingers lov ingly across the keys without sounding them; then softly, sadly and resolutely, he closed the lid, and with asigh arose to leave the room. Hal sprang up, grasping his hand and exclaimed: "Ted, I'm so sorry; but maybe we can save it yet I'll try." "No, no, Hal" responded Ted, "you must not Let it go now. rve I've made up my mind to part from-it" , Just then Lacy entered, saying it was time to go to the station, and they ten derly led Ted from the room. Hal was to accompany them to the train that was to take them to the picnic Til sit all the afternoon by the road where the race is to be, and Lucy will tell me how far you are ahead of the others, Hal" said Ted, his face lighting up with pleasant anticipations. "I want you.to win so much." Lucy looked gratefully at Hal, with glistening eyes, as if to say, "You are so kind to provide this pleasure;" then thinking he might not understand her, said with a blush: "Don't fail in the race; Ted has set heart so on your win ning." And Hal, with a troubled look on his face, merely replied, "I'll do my best," and hurried away. That afternoon Lucy found a pleas ant shady seat under a large tree by the road in the woods, and there she and Ted waited for the bicycle race. Many others had come there also. On one side of the road were Hal's admir ers; on the other those of his rival; many biting words and satirical expres sions shot back and forth, and much feverish expectancy was apparent At length the cry, "Here they comer arose, and, sure enough, away down on the white road, glimmering in the sun light was seen a cloud of dust, from which darted twinkling gleams of pol ished steel Nearer it came, and the dust obscured the advance rider from the eagerly peering eyes. Nearer still it came, and, like a flash, the first competi tor wheeled by, his bright wheel glitter ing like a shower of meteors. The expected cheer, the signal of vic tory, did not arise. There was surprised silence, for the rider wore the uniform of the city club. But here came another cloud of dust surely gaining on the first "This must be Goodwin," murmured Hal's followers. "This must be Banks," muttered the others. But the glittering steel flew quietly but swiftly by, and it was neither. Then they waited in breathless dread and shame for HaL Could he be so far behind? What was wrong? But the yellow dust soon slowly settled down on the sultry road and he did not come. . "Where's your great champion now?" sneered Banks' friends. "He's flunked; the baby," was the sul len reply. "He's fallen and hurt himself,"' said Ted, apprehensively. "I hope not," said Lucy, and she felt that she was pale, and was half glad for once that Ted could not see. Keenly disappointed at Hal's failure, Ted returned from the picnic, to take up the burden of his loss, and he felt, some how, that he could have borne it better had Hal only won the race. Lucy tried to cheer him, but with little success, for her own heart ached too sorely for him. . Their mother met them at the door, and, at her greeting, the poor lad's brave struggle to appear cheerful and resigned to his own loss was touchingly apparent Lucy, instinctively, threw her arms lovingly around him, and started to say, "111 help you bear it, dear Ted; 111" when her mother, with a curiously glad, yet puzzled look shining through her tears, caught Ted by the arm in a way that made him stop. Then she led them both silently into the parlor. Lucy started so letting the basket fall then Ted cried out: "What is it? Why are you acting so? Mother, why don't you speak? There's something you're not telling me." Without replying, his mother led him across the room and gently pushed him down on the organ stool In a dazed way he groped about and his hands touched the keys. He seemed unable to comprehend it and raised his hands and held them out helplessly. His mother caught them eagerly, and he said: "Mother, it's it's here yet What does it mean?" "Here's a letter for you," she replied. "Read it Lacy. Quick," Ted cried, excitedly. Lucy quickly tore it open and ex claimed: "Why, it's a receipt in full. The organ is yours, Ted. What does it mean?" Ted stood silent a moment with a clouded face, and then said, half re proachfully: "Mother! Lucy! You've sacrificed yourselves for me." "No, my son," his mother replied. "We wished we could have given you this pleasant surprise, but we couldn't We don't know anything about it" "Then it was Hal," exclaimed Ted, and he turned around without another word and played a lively air, that showed his pleasure fax better tlian words could have done. They talked a long while, striving to explain the mystery, Ted clinging to his belief that he owed it all to HaL though he could state no good reason. They hoped their young friend would come and. settle the matter and explain his failure, but he did not appear. Mr. Amdon cams in and reported there was in the village'much indignation and some threats against Hal for cowardly harking out and allowing the city man to win the race. But Ted warmly con tended that Hal hadn't failed through cowardice, and that the village would be sorry for their threata. In the usorniagTed, Ids mothtii and Lucy warn earnestly discussing ths mat tor, wham the blind boy started at ths click of the jrate, and Hal soon received a welcome that strangely ditvosttsrted "What did you dottfocT Why, pay lorthoorganv As1whv didnt von take aart in the Lucy. She hardly agreed with Ted's belief and wished to save Hal the embarrsssment of saying hehadnt paid for the instrument but aha only added to his confusion. "I I found I couldn't' "But ft wasnt because I was afraid," he added quickly, as he saw Lucy's face fall "But you havent answered my ques tion yet Hal" insisted Ted. "Why. Ted, you know I oouldnt pay for it but you don't know how glad I am you're to keep it whoever it was that paid for it" replied Hal, recovering from his embarrassment "Why! Who could it beT said Mrs. Amdon. But Lucy was watching Hal very searchingiy. She thought she detected an unusual expression in his face, and it was slowly dawning upon her that Ted was right after all Hal seeing her look, was getting badly confused again, and was just on the point of rising to es cape, when Mr. Amdon hurried in with a letter for Ted. "Bead it quick!" he cried. Hal, with his hat in bis hand, was half way out of the door, when Lucy, after one swift glance at the letter, sprang after him, fairly dragging him back, and held him fast as she said: "Oh, no! You don't escape so easily. You just have to stay right here and listen. I'm not going to spare you one bit, if you do blush. Listen to this." And she read with a conspicuous tremor in her sweet voice: . Mr. Ted Amdon Since sesdlns; receipt for organ Tve found out about the young man who paid the money, and have also learned about your sell My son took part in a bicycle race, in which Mr. Hal Goodwin was expected to win. There was much surprise that he was not on hand to start, and my son took pains to discover the reason of his failure, hearing that be was much censored and blamed with cowardice. Know, then, that instead of failing through cowardice, he nobly gave up the race, sold bis bicycle and paid for your organ. Hal made a desperate rush for the door, but old Mr. Amdon caught him in the nick of time and held him like a vise. "Oh! how I wish I could see you now, Hal!" said Ted, groping his way toward him. "Don't say that; 1 can't stand it," mur mured Hal "Poor boy!" sobbed Ted's mother,witb her apron to her eyes. " "Listen!" cried Lucy; "that isn't alL Let me read on: Hyson found where he .sold his bicycle, and 1 have a proposition to make. I am in need of a good performer, to play for customers, and 1 offer you the place, having heard of your unusual skill. Mr. Goodwin deserves reward for his noble action, so Til refund the money, and he can re buy his bicycle Come to the city at once. "There," said Hal, disconsolately, sink ing into a chair. "I knew it would turn out that way." "How?" asked Ted in surprise. "Why! Whenever I get a' chance to do something for you that's worth some thing, it doesn't pan out worth a cent It just falls flat" But they wouldn't let him talk that way long. Ted's mother, under the im pulse of her gratitude, stopped him with a rousing kiss, and Lucy looked as if she wished she could take part in just such an interruption. You may be sure the story spread through the village on the wings of the wind. And it was surprising how quick the word "coward" died away. Ted was soon at work in the city music stores and, despite his sore afflic tion, is doing well, and there is every prospect of his one day becoming par ner. Yankee Blade. THE GOLD SEEKER. Is it true? Troth it is, sir, just as true as that you're now saited forninst my fireside. Tis true I am an owlder man to-day than I was when the sportin'boys round about used to be callin' me the goold seeker. Yes, indeed, faix, that's the name they gave me. Danyeen, the Goold Seeker. But light your pipe and make yourself comfortable, and I'll try and make it all 03 clear to you as I can. At the time I'm goin' to spake about, I didn't stick to one callin' alone. I was what some call Jack-of-all-trades. Besides a purty thatched cottage, I held four acres of as rich a piece of land as could be found near the green banks o' the Funcheon, and that's a sayin' a great dale. I was not only a farmer in a small way, but a hard workin' shoemaker to boot, and in my leisure moments when I wasn't cultivating my mind I would make it my business to go out on my four acres and cultivate the cabbages. And finer cabbage though I say it my selfyou wouldn't see in a day's walk. Although I was an industrious man, I had one strong wakeness that stuck to me for a long while, though I got cured of it at last That wakeness was a long ing desire to dig for some o' the treas ures which were supposed to be buried in the earth near some o' theowld ruined castles, especially the big castle of Car rickabrick, at Fermoy, that stands not far from the brink of a high rock over looking the Blackwater. Many a time in my boyish days did I make up my mind to get a pickax and spade and climb the high rock from the river side, but something or other would whisper to me, sayin': "Danyeen, agra, dont attempt it for the world if you value your life." But in spite o' the warnin' I tuck cour age at last and undertook the perilous exploit And this is how it happened: One fine summer's mornin' I made up my mind to pay a visit to the Fermoy market, and more betoken, it chanced to be a patthern day, when the boys and girktn their Sunday clothes, from the different parishes for miles around, were sure to be there. So I harnessed Ned, the donkey, to the cart and set out with a load o' beautiful cabbages to earn an honest penny in the market After driving at a spanking pace I got to Milk market lane, in Fermoy, in about an hour's time, and just as I drew up before the door o' Clancy's public house who should salute me but my owld friend, Pat Howe, who was after returnin' that very mornin' from London. The first words he spoke to me as soon as we d exchanged greetings were: "Danyeen, avick, I had a ' mighty cu rious drame last night" "What did ye drame?" says 1 "I was dramin'," says he, "that I dug up a crock o goold from under a white atom) near the foot of Carrickabrick cas tle," The words were hardly out of his mouth when I stumbled against another croney o' mine, one Maurteen Cox. Af ter giving me a hearty shake of the hand he says to me: "Last night I'd the strangest drame o' my life. I thought I found a mine o' yallow goold under a round white stone beside the Carrickabrick castle." "D'ye tell me that for a fact?" says I, not lettuV on that Pat Howe was af tei tellin'meof his drame in nearly the same words. Pat then threw me a knowing wink, as much as to say: "Danyeen, dont be lettm' the cat out o' ths bag." WeU, rir, before I had time to oUect my wits I got a thwack on the shouldei from young Dennehy, who was related to the owner o the paper mill When turned round he'd a smile on his face sc bright that you might light your pipe with it " ha SfT mrr. i : ff . & -?r t oranM sght that a man could wkh for. I fan dedthat I was the discoverer of a rale California goold mine, and where should k be but under a round white stone by Carrickabrick castle. I then began tc dig and after ten minutes' hard work what should meet my gaze but a big crocsrof golden guineas." "Are ya in earnest?" says I; but before I could spake another word Maurteen Cox gave me a quiet nudge in the ribc as a hint to keep my own counsel. So 1 shut my mouth an kept as dumb as an oysther coasarnin' the three wonderful drames,but for the life o' me I couldn't banish the idea from my mind, for thej amy it'a lucky to drame three times about finding goold. WeU, sir, with that I left Ned, the donkey, with the car load o cabbages outside, while I went into Clan cey's public house with my three friends, and after we had a couple o pints each of Beamish an Craw'ford's porther, 1 promised Pat Howe to introduce him the next day to a friend o' mine at Glenabo cottage, and after takin a parting drink with the landlord we left the house; but lo.and behold! when I got outside neither Neil, the donkey, nor the car, nor a sin gle head o' cabbage was to be seen. I looked up and down Milk Market lane, but I might as well be lookin fo a needle in a bundle o bay, but at last 1 was informed by the baker's boy that used to supply me with fine fresh row's, that the donkey and car was dhriven to the pound for obstructing the public highway, for ye must know that that was the law in thim days an' the ownei o' the saized property, whoever he or she might be, was compelled to pay a small fine before their property was restored. For a wander, I was short o' cash at the time, but Pat Howe, with his usual good nature, kern to my assistance and clapped the required sum into my hand, and it wasn't long before I had the imprisoned cabbages relased from durance vile, but 1 was surprised when I missed three o the biggest heads that I had carefully put on the top for show, and grand heads th. y were, for if they weighed an ounce I -dare to you this minit they weighed fourteen pounds apiece. However, I bore my loss with the res ignation of a philosopher, an took i accustomed stand on Milkmarket hui an, to tell the truth, the prospects o tin market couldn't be brisker than on that very day. So after my stock was en tirely sowld an the cash safely in my pocket, Lmade my way to Mrs. Bowler's bakery, where I bought a. loaf o' bread, and then called in at the dairy, where 1 sat down with a quart o' new milk and a pot o' fresh butter before me, and en joyed a hearty male fit for an alderman. While I was aitin' away, 1 began to cogatate to myself about the strange drames of the buried treasure near Car rickabrick castle. "Begorra,"tsays I tc myself at last, "I'll visit the castle this very night an' see the end of it, even if 1 have to risk my life in the attempt" The resolution was no sooner made than I quitted the dairy, but when I got outside Ned, the donkey, was nowhere to be found; that was the second time he disappeared from me in the one day. I searched high and low, but sorrow sign of him, could I see. I was just giving up the hunt for him when I was towld by a man from Tallow that if I wished to recover him I'd have to trudge over to the pound again. "Wish'd, then, ye thievin' donkey," says I to myself, "if this goes on much longer all my profits will be spent in payin' fines." I had him released, however, an' put him up for the .night at a respectable house of enter tainment for man and baste, and then made up my mind to visit Carrickabrick castle. ' So, without broachin' a word to any one, I went in search of a pick, spade'an' lanthern. From Milkmarket lane I walked straight down the Mill road, and after crossin' the first field I was soon within view of tho owld paper mill, and after pickin' my steps over the plank that crossed the mill race, as good luck would have it, the first livin' creat ure I met was young Jemmy Madden, a clever boy that knew every hole an cor ner o the mill. When 1 towld him what 1 wanted he lost no time in hunting up the necessary implements, an in less than fiveminits I had a spade and pickax, a stable lanthern and a coil of rope. The reason I tuck the rope was because I had to climb a rock by the Blackwater, about thirty feet high, before gettin' on a level with the castle grounds. Well; sir, back 1 went to the field with my mining tools under my arm, sayin' nothin', but smok in' my pipe and studyin' the stars until I got to the big rock overlookin' the river. I then tied the implements, to gether, an' tuck the other end o' the rope in my hand and made my way up the best way I could. Some o' the foot holds wor as slippery as glass, but I kept a tight howld by the crvices, for I knew that by one falso move I'd be smashed to atoms. When I landed safe at the top o' the rock I pulled up the rope and un tied the tools. I then sat down near the edge o' the rock to ketch my breath, when an at once my eye tuct in at a single glanco the charmin' scene spread out before me. There was the beautiful summer moon dancin' on the face o tho Blackwater. 1 could also see her bright bamesfallin' over the glorious fields o' yallow grain, and from the ruined castle behind my back I could hear the noise o' the bat, the owl an' the jackdaws, that were goin' to roost for the night in the nooks and crannies o' the broken walls. Then 1 thought I could hear the strangest music comin from the purty green grove, but I found out that it was only the light summer winds singin their way through tho trees. At last I rose up, lighted my lanthern. and set out'like another Columbus on my voyage of dis covery arourld the castle ruins.. After gropin' my way for a few minits, what dy'e think tripped me up, but' the .round white stone mentioned in the quare drames o'my three friends. There it was as plain as a pike staff beside a bit o brusnwooa witnin aoout a yarn o Carrickabrick castle. So without losin' a minit I threw off my coat and to work I went After diggin' for awhile my pick kem in con tact with a substance that didnt seem to be as hard as a rock nor as soft as a sponge either. If you could see me that moment you'd be. astonished, for I lep ped sky high, I was so full o joy at the thought o' ray good luck. When I kem to myself, I threw away the pick an' be gan to shovel the loose soil from around the crock as I thought it, but begorra, sir, 'twas only a common owld butther tub covered over at the top with musty owld newspapers. "Now for my goolden discovery," 6ays I to myself as I tore off the paper cover. By the light o' the ' moon an' my lanthern as well, I then took a peep at tjie precious treasure I thought was goin to make a man o' me for life. "What does this mane, at all?" says L "I was always of the opinion that goold was yallow, but if my eyes doesn't decave me the contints of this tub has a greenish hue." It was then I put down my hands an' lifted up what the butther tub contained, an' what dy'e think I found for my trouble? Why, sir, noth ing less than ths three big heads o cab bage that wars tat. a out o my car on Milkmarket lane that very same morn in. Twas then I began to find oat I sus victim of a hoax. So I left the ing implies tats to take cars o thenv alKwjdaradtaa tmtthsr tab with J - TJT - - THE BOSTON, ONE-PMC E IS THE ONLY PLAGE WHERE YOU GET BARGAINS IN EMyS'aMMEH'SCLOTM, Gents' Furnishing Goods, Hats and Gaps, Boots and Shoos. THE LARGEST STOCK .1 THE LOWEST PRICES IN PLATTE COUNTY. Boston, One-Price Clotlg House, n Opp. LINDELL hotel. A. SANDS, Prop'r, yOjrsWsHISf HfOjs its cargo o' cabbages, left the castle by a short cut, an', after gettin' my donkey an car, went straight home by way o' the Balinafana road. In the coorse of a few days the whole eacret leaked out. The three drames the takin o the cab bages and the pouiulin' o' the dQnkey was nutely planned that mornin' by Pat Howe, and his friends Cox an Dennehy an' now you have the whole of it, for 'twas on account of that night's adven ture that 1 got the name o' the Goold r Seeker. Barry O'Connor- in New York ftews. Soda Springs, Idaho. The splendid new Idanha hotel erect ed last year at Soda Springs, Idaho, is now open for the season under the di rect management of the Union Pacific railway. This hotel is first class in every respect with all the modern con veniences and will accommodate com fortably several hundred guests. The medicinal springs which abound about Soda Springs are noted for their curative properties and many remark able cures have been recorded. Splen did hunting and excellent fishing is to be found a few miles from Soda' Springs. Good livery and guides always to be had. For further information address E. L. Lomax, Gen'l Pass. Agt. Omaha, Neb. The enemy of man is man. The Verdict l'naniiuoni. W. D. Stilt, druggist, Bippus, Iml., testifies: "I can recommend Electric Bitters as the very best remedy. Every bottle sold has given relief in every case. One man took six bottles, sud was cured of Rheumatism of 10 years' standing.' Abraham Hare, druggist, Belleville, Ohio, affirms: "The best sell ing medicine I have ever handled in my 20 years' experience, is Electric Bitters." Thousands of others have added their testimony, so that tho verdict is unani mous that Electrio Bitters do cure all diseases of the Liver, Kidneys or Blood. Only a half dollar a lwttle at David Dowty's drug store. There may be loyalty without love, but never love without loyalty. y.y. a California Bear. Anybo7 can catch a cold this kind of weather. We advise our readers to pur chase of Dowty & Becher a bottle of SAftTA ABIE, the California Kinj; of Consumption, Asthma, Bronchitis, Coughs and Croup Cures, and keep it handy. Tis pleasing to the taste and death to the above complaints. Sold at $1.00 a bottle or 3 for 8250. CALIFOR NIA CAT-B-CURE gives immediate re-i lief. The catarrh virus is soon displaced by its healing and penetrating nature. Give it a trial. Six months treatment 11.00, sent by mail 31.10. An open enemy is to be respected, a secret one to be suspected. Backlen'H Arnica Salve. The best salve in the world for cuts, bruises, sores, ulcers, salt rheum, fever sores, tetter, chapped hands, chilblains, corns, and all skin eruptions, and posi tively cures piles, or no pay required. It is gnranteed to give perfect satisfac tion, or money refunded. Price 25 cents per box. For sale by Darid Dowty. - 3 The pure worship of a pure heart is an inspiration and a song. Have Yoa Heard About the superb Pullman Dining Cars which have been recently placed in ser vice via the Union Pacific, "The Over land Route?" If you have, and want to get a sumptuous meal while traveling, don't fail to take the train on which these Diners run. They run on the fast Vestibule Express between Council Bluffs and Denver and on the Overland Flyer between Council Bluffs and Port land. Meals, which cannot be surpassed in any of the first-class hotels in the coun try, are served in these cars at 75c each. 2feeptl The darkest showers often contains the most fruitful showers. A westta's Discovery, another wonderful discovery has been made and that too by a woman in 4his county. Disease fastened its clutch es upon her and for seven years she withstood its severest tests, but her vital organs were undermined and death seemed imminent. For three months she coughed incessantly and could not sleep. She bought of us a bottle of Dr. King's New Discovery for Consumption and was so much relieved on taking first dose that she slept all night and with oas bottle has been miraculously cured. Her name is Mrs. Luther Lutz." Thus ..ite W. C. HamricK Cot, ot Shelby N. C get a free trial bottle at David rXrwtys drugstore. X rSs.vwr." .-, A CLOTHING HOUSE ra&ni-j us mm SLUNGS -Soiii Gtff Send for circuhrM trWti3far02-.. 1 . ..4. . . ...- iAnlt II N L KJUmomiUL. f AM W. t.n e -cy .. nin V TirinieiirS VQ r A iii.m bItphi amuwMy - 1 A KHH flBIETIHEMEtECaVQHOVIUXMU SmilllE-'MT-UCtlE tORHALKBY DOWXTST : ISC2IH. Trails annnliail hv tu II T P. (BIT rtBTrn f 1 1 sac'i (ftflnnwp L Mil Lincoln, Neb. 7mar83-ly. ... . - NEBRASKA FAMILY : J0UBNAL: A Weekly Newspaper issued every Wednesday. 32 Calms f readiig Matter, cu-' sistiag ef Nebraska State News ' Iteas, Selected Stories aid .. . Miscellany. ". 5"yampl copim sent fn to any address.' Subscription price, $1 a year, in Mvaict. Address: 31. K. Tckn-er & Co., Columbus, Platte Co., Nehr IEWSPApER a boob of m w ' llSr TO ss The bet book for sa advertiser to IB salt, be be expert- "" COD- T' enced or otherwise. t contains lists of nc wsnapers and estimates oftbecostofn.dve7ti3iiiK.lbe ad vertiserwbtf wants to spend one dollar, finds la It the In formation be requires, while forhim who will invest one hundred thousand dollars la ad vertising; a scheme is indicated which will meet his every requirement, or tan be made to do mo bg slight changes ea$iltf arrivtdat bycor respomUnee. 143 editions bave been Issued, fecnt. past-paid, to any address for 10 cents. Write to GEO. P. ROWELL CO.. NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING BUREAU. '.lOSoruoaJt-frlatiBg Hoaaw Sq.). KewYcrk. PATENTS Caveats and Trade Marks obtained, and all Pat ent hnine conducted for MODKHATK FEES. OUR OFFICE 18 OPPOSITE U. 8. PATENT OFFICE. We have no snb-Agencieii, all business direct, henco wn ran transact patent business ia Ic8HtimoHndatL.fcSCOaT than those remote from Washington. Send model, drawing, or photo, with descrip tion. We adTiso if patentable or not. free of charge. Onr fee not due till patent is secured. A book. "How to Obtain Patents." with refer- . ences to actual clients in jour state, county or town, sent free. Address Opposite Patentbato. Washington, DYC. . . 55 TO flfl I MY Cmcvuasl IJM Bnwsttrt Safer B Nett awsiv ulatrosaet i Sbnaewatr eajsfrem ISsU Bwaraadwaotssr jst 8sa4SfesaSs cm. stswsm nnj.es., Ti An Absolate Care. The ORIGINAL ABIETINE OIN!i ' MEKT is only put up in large two-ouacs tin boxes, and is an absdeto eutu tor old sores, burns, wounds, chapped hands and all kinds of skin eruptions. Will positively, cure all lands of piles. Ask for the ORIGINAL ABITINE OINTMENT Sold by Dowty k Becher at 26 cents i "box by nuil 90 cents. sar7y iADVERTOI J'-iiJ-. S--1 J I -. V 'r Vr . v 1 i-jBr&- t"