Nebraska Newspapers

    THE OMAHA DAILY BEE : SUNDAY , . /NOVEMBER G. 1SS7.-SIXTEEN PAGES.
IN THE ELECTRICAL FIELD ,
Xiallwny Tologrnphy Transmission
, of Energy.
AN ELECTRIC TYPEWRITER.
"The AViUdiimur Klrulrlc llriiko Car
liiientB Tin ; Tclcjilioiio
J'lcutrlral Ilrc\ltl4
rrruks.
Mnllwny
Electrical World : The Hystom as it
oxistH to-day , Indolly staled , consists
mainly in the Uho of the "short polo"
telegraph line extending along the aide
of the railroad track fit a distance of
eight or ton feet from the line , the poles
being much smaller than ordinary tele
graph poles , nnd from ton to sixteen
foot high. At their top is placed an
ordinary glass or porcelain insulator ,
strung upon which is a single galvanized
steel ( or iron ) telegraph wire about No.
12' , American gauge. Wherever prac- >
tlcable , the metal roof of the cur is
employed a the inductive receiver of
the oar , but where no metal roof exists
an iron or brns < ) rod or tube half an
inch in diameter is employed , placed
under the eaves of the car. Prom thereof
reef the wire passes to the instruments ,
and then to the wheels of the car. Thereof
roof or bur are connected to the sec
ondary of nn induction coil. The
primary of the coil is connected
to the front contacts of a doublo-
piiritod key in which is also included a
iKLttory nnd a hu/.iorarrnngeinont oppo-
nite the core of the coil , for transmit
ting n sorli'-s of impulses to the line
whenever the key Is closed. When the
key is ttpon the front , contact also , the
extra contact shown at the top
of the key clones the secondary cir
cuit and allows the charges to b'o sent
into the roof. When the key is on its
back contact , both the hocondary and
the primary coil are cut out , thu charge
fiom ( he root panning by the wire from
the roof directly to the key nnd thence
through the telephone to earth.
The operator's equipment is quite
simple , and consists merely of n small
Uiblut , to which the key , coil and bu/s-
zor aw attached , and with just sulllcicnt
top surface to hold u telegraph blank
conveniently.
The iNittery employed ia enclosed in a
box and can lw placed beside the opera
tor ; or can be stowed away in one of the
closets of the car. A battery of twelve
small cells is employed in circuit with
the primary of the induction coil , al
though it is stated that communication
can ho kept up with two cells. The
primary nnd secondary of the induction
coil are respectively about 8.5 and 'ill )
ohms.
The nrrnnyomont at the terminal
station ; so far as the induction circuits
and ( nstriuiifnlH are concerned , is , iden
tical with that on the car ; but in addi
tion there is supplied a Morse arrange
ment. by moans of which the line can
bo used for the transmission of ordinary
Moi > u business. The circuit is madu
continuous for the induction t > i stem by
mentis of n condenser , which transmits
the impulses when the Mor > o Key is
open.
The cost of equipping a railroad with
thfs syfctom depends hoinowhat on the
chimietor of the roadway , ncnrnubs to
telegraphic pole markets , etc. ; but it is
said to approximate about $50 per milo
for line equipment , i. e. , poles , wire ;
etc. , and the labor of putting up. The
cobt Of car tilting is about $16.
of Knerujr.
London Electrician : A somewhat rc-
milrknblo , and so far , successful applica
tion of the electric transmission of
energy has recently been carried out in
a conf mine near Normanton , England.
The motive power required for pumping
water to the HUI face has hitherto Iwon
furnifhed by compressed air ; but the
engineers in charge were. f > p dissatisfied
with the low elllcumcyobtnined an etli-
cioncy not exceeding i5 ! per cent. that
they determined to try electric power.
The pumps are situated at a distance of
about sttventy yards from the bottom of
a shaft SOO yiuds in depth ; and owing to
the damp atmosphere and confined
space , the conditions were of * peculi
arly trying character for electrical ma-
chintjry. A second pump ia now about
to bo fixed. When the plant has been
a little longer at work , and may bo pro
Binned to have rcauhcd its final btage o
development , we hope to give a detailed
account of the whole installation , which
our readers will probably find to be of
considerable interest.
Multiplex Telephony.
Electrical Koviow : Dr. Tommiibi's
method is bused upon the phenomenon
of the persistence of the sensation of
pound. That , an effort of this character
docs exist is evident from the fact that
wo hear musical tones of above sixteen
double vibrations per minute as a con
tinuous Bound , and not tus a succession of
waves , such as roallj exist in the atmos
phere. Dr. Tonnnasi , therefore , pro-
pohos , to make use of the principle em
ployed in multiplex telegraphy , and to
cause rotating cylinders to make suc
cessive contacts between the several
lines which are to be joined , each con
tact recurring in less than 0110 thirty-
seeond of a second. The cylinder must
therefore rotate at a rate of not less
than " ,000 revolutions per minute. It in
further nccot.snry that at the opposite
end ot the single-lino wire a similar cy
linder shall be mainlainco in ubrolute
synchronous rotation , t-o that the two
cylinders shall always connect the same
lines at the MI mo moment. Dr. Tom-
mnsl suggest that the first cylinder
should bo driven by a small electro
motor. and that the synchronism of the
second should bo maintained "by one of
the w ell-known methods. " It Is doubt
ful whether there is any known method
by which this can bo done other than
by Dolanoy's adaptation of La Cour's
"phonic wneol. " In this case it will bo
necessary to run a separata circuls for
the performance of this regulation ,
which will itself give rise to such a
noise that one can hardly ox | > oct that
conversation can be conducted with any
degree of comfort. The subject is ouo
of fiulUuiont importance to attract the
attention of the electrical Inventor , for
telephone circuits are multiplying rap
idly , nowadays , and , like the t'olegruph ,
any system of duplexing , or , better ,
muitLplexing.will bo a great udvuntngo.
The subject is one , however , for experi
ment , lu , prauticully there are few data
to guide ono to a doflnite opinion on the
feasibility of the scheme.
AH Electric Submarine Itont.
A Paris cable message to the New
York World says : "A rival to the
Peacemaker and to Lieutenant
/Oil I n ski's submarine Nautilus has
turned up at Havre. Electricity is the
motive power , and not caustic sodaaa In
the case with Prof. Paino's invention.
It is something over eighth meters in
length , tuo dcop , and a capacity of Uvo
tons. The shell is constructed uen-
tlroly of b'.col. The stem and blorn are
( lush and full , but what Is thua lot in
speed , in the opinion ot the inventor , is
regained la the greater sifety of nuvl-
gallon. The motive power Is furnished
by a dyuamo-olcetrlc machine Invented
by Captain Kreb.s. of the French navy ,
famous for hU dirigenblc balloohs. In
uao now by the ballooning corps of the
army. The engine hus at times devel
oped twolvo-horso power. The energy
is utored In conservators , which contain
ncllhor lead nor acids , and which only
weigh 20 kilogrammes for one-horse
power , whereas the storage batteries of
the electric yacht Volta weighed 100
kilogrammes to each onO-hor.- > e-power
stored. The scientific men vislllng Iho
Hiivro maritime exhibition , just closed ,
are loud in their admiration of the now
mnrlne wonder. She lias made six and
a half Iniots for five consoautivc hours
during the public trials. "
Tlio Klectrlc UK'H ' Not Flr
St. Louis Globe-Democrat : The facts ,
so far at they are obtainable , tend to
show that the electric light Is not so
much of a lire-bug as it is popularly
supposed to bo. The lire marshal of
IJoston , Mn s. , for example , reports as
the result of his Invcxtigations into the
causes of iiro that where Ihoro were
Ihreo llrc.s from electric lamps , there
were thirty-nino from kerosene lamps ,
nine from gas , six from candles , and
bovonty-livo from friction matches. Of
course there are a great many more
kerosene lumps than there are electric
lights , still the proportion of only thrco
fires from electric lights to 129 from the
other causes , is something to arrest at
tention. The electric light men con
tend that with proper care in construc
tion and maintenance the lircs might
have been avoided. This l.s true , but
their antagonists might retort with
equal truth lhat had sufllcient care
boon exorcised one of the 11 res from
matches , kerosouo lamps , gas and can
dles might have been prevented. Cheap
ness of manufacture and carelessness do
not pertain exclusively to either kero
sene lamps or to electric lights. Fewer
persons handle the one than the oilier ,
consequently there was less loss from
tlio electric lights than from kerosene.
The truth appears to bo that electric
lights as commonly constructed nnd
used are safer than uny other system of
lighting as ordinarily managed , but
that with perfect construction and man
agement it is a mode of lighting excep
tionally safe.
An Klcotrlo Typewriter.
Baltimore Sun : There is consider
able talk in the patent olllco just now
concerning an invention patented re
cently , which , in thu opinion of some ,
will bo a formidable rival of the tele
phone , Air. Bell's monopoly. The in
vention is an electrical typewriter. The
instrument in appearance somewhat re
sembles an ordinary mechanical type
writer. It hns a key-board and the
typos are placed on btcel bars , which
piny upon a common steel center , as is
the ease with the typewrite. The mo
tive power used is electricity , by means
of which e\enness of action is assured.
No mailer how heavily or how lighlly
Iho keys are struck the impression on
llw paper is the same. A remarkable
feature of the invention used as a typewriter -
writer is that the cairiago moves auto
matically both forwar'd and backward.
When the end of the line is reached
llu > carriage rot urns lo Ihe starling
point without the aid of the operator ,
and the paper bar moves ono notch , so
that all thai is required of the operator
is to depress the key- . The mo&t ini-
jiortant gold for the now invention is
said to be in connection witn the tolo-
. raph. II is said at Iho patent olllco
that Iho inslrumnnt can be used both ns
i transmitter and receiver of intelli
gence ever a single wire , no matter
how great the dislance may be. The re
ceiver instrument does not require
the attendance of nil operator ,
but prints the dispatch automatically.
The instruments at both ends ot the
line print the dispatch sent , and so a
safeguard against mistakes is provided.
It is claimed that the electric type
writer will bo valuable as a local aid to
business , and oilers many advantages
over the telephone. Ono advantage
claimed for it is that no matter whether
a person called up is at his place of
business or not , the message can bo
printed through the medium of his type
writer , and will bo there for perusal on
his return. The dispatches printed are
in letter form , and not an endless tape.
The instrument , which has boon chris
tened the dynumograph , is considered
. patent ollico olticials to bo ono of the
greatest inventions upon which patents
have been issued. The electricians do
not stinl their praise , and are positive
Unit the machine will greatly simplify
business intercommunication. Some of
Iho eleclriciaus of this city who have
seen the instrument , notably Prof. Bor-
linger , of the Boll Telephone company ,
state that the dynainogrnph is destined to
take its place asapoworCul adjunct to tel
egraphy , and will bo by no means a rival
thai Iho telephone can afford to scorn.
John Russell Young , ox-minister to
China , has taken hold oftho now inven
tion , and is president of ho company
which is to put it into practical opera
tion. _
Tlio WnltliimcrKloctric Brake.
Railway Gazette : At a recent trial
of this brake near Cincinnati , a train
of three passenger cars , one freight car
mid n unlxxwu was used , all empty. On
a down grade of ( M feet per milo brakes
were applied IUM ) feet from a point
whore steam was shut otT. The train
slopped in Si ! second.- < )0 ) feet distance.
In n breakaway trial the train was
stopped from the onbon-o. at SOO feet in
' ! ' { soennda , A graduation test was
miido , the speed being reduced from 00
to 15 miles and hold. With a train of
six cars and oaboo o the stop was made
from -10 miles an hour , brakes being
npplifd as before , 3I0 ! feet from shutting
of stotim ; time , 25 seconds ; distance , 974
foot. Other trials were made with
freight curs mixed in the train without
brakes.
KIci ! trio Cnr 1'xpcrlmciit.
Electrical World : The electric car
made for the Boston West End Railroad
company , and which was shipped from
Now York to Boston a few days ago ,
made its first trial trip since its arrival
on Saturday evening , October 8. The
car was run at various speeds over tlio
tracks of thff Cambridge railroad from
the CnmbridgoixM't stables through
Main street ana Northern nvenuo to
Porter's station , Cambridge , returning
via Harvard square to the starting
point. Tlio distance traveled over by
the cars was about eight miles. The
Sprague motor nnd Julion storage bat-
leries , together with all the apparatus
constituting the electrical equipment
of the car , worked smoothly and satis
factorily , and the car was stopped
and stnrtod on the curves and grades ,
along Iho route without difficulty.
The Telephone in Stockholm.
Electrical World : The beautiful city
ot Stockholm , the capital of Sweden ,
enjoys telephonic facilities without rival
in Europe , and certainly equal to any
thing that can bo shown in this country.
Although it has a population of not
much more than 200,000 Inhabitants , it
has fully 7.000 telephone subscribers , , of
whom 1,500 are connected up with the
Hell exchange , and about 4.000 with the
exchange of the Stockholm General
Telephone company.
Pipe-Damp Detector.
Electrical World : The apparatus
operates us follows : The detector being
suspended in n mine near the roof , if a
KIIS lighter than air , buch us tire-damp ,
is generated in the mine , it Instantly
enters a porous cup , the all leaving tlio
cup at the Mime time : but as thu gas
enters faster than thu air leaves the cup ,
pressure Is for n time generated within
the cup. The pressure nets against a
membrane mid causes the snino to raise
ngnlnst n screw thereby closing the cir
cuit and causing the bull at ttio end of
he line to bo sounded , thus automati-
; ally notifying the ntlondnnt of the
iresuncu of lire-damp in the mine.
The Telephone Needs Competent Men.
Electrical World : A notable point
dwelt on by Mr. Lockwood , at Pills-
burg , in which he was seconded by
olhcrs , Is the fact that competent men
ire required in the telephone aa'ln the
Lolegraph service. While the early
ilofeets in Iho lallor are plainly tracea
ble to lack of trained electricians gon-
> rally , for the reason that these had to
jo created , no such excuse exists to
day , and the tlmo will como when every
elephono company will luivo its olec-
rical stall similar to that of the tele
graph companies.
Klcctrlcal Brevities.
The first Idea of electricity was given
by the friction of two globes of quiok-
iflvor in the year 1017.
Morris Fox , of Danbury , Conn.is bald
.0 bo Iho youngest telegraph operator
u the country. Ho is twelve years old
and ho began work when only nine. Ho
is an export and will soon take a posl-
lieu in ono of Iho mosl important otllccs
of that city.
When lighlning struck Bnxlor Vnug-
uin , of Slrolhor , Mo. , it cut n hole like
a bullet hole in his hut , ran around the
. Iin. then down his back clear to his
leels , taking off in its entire course tv
.narrow atrip of his skin , nnd yet Mr.
Vaughn lives to toll his queer experi
ence.
The earl of Rosobory , speaking before
the International Shorthand congress ,
described the telegraph , the telephone ,
the postal card and shorthand as noth
ing but signals of distress of an over
strained civilization.
The London Electrician hns been
„ really impressed with the practical
good accomplished in this country by
the National Electric Light association ,
and wants to sec something similar in
England.
Purifying river water by electricity is
nn oxperimcntmado by a Frenchman , M.
StolTcl. The gist of the process is that
the ozone generated by the electrolytic
decomposition of the water kills the
niiiule organisms , and oxidizes all or
ganic substances , at the same time pro-
jipitnting the carbonates in course of
dissolulion , thus effectually purifying
the water. The greatest drawback is
the expense of the process , which
amounts to 1 penny per ono cubic molcr
of walor , but M. Stoffol thinks that
this could bo materially reduced by the
sale of the by-products obtained in the
process.
A man was killed by lightning in the
upper part of King William countyVir-
ginia. on Thursday night , under pecu
liar circumstance , lie was in bed , his
wife lying by his side , when the light
ning struck , passed through a window ,
and out of the door. The man was in-
lanlly killed , but his wife received only
11 very slight shock ,
A NIGHT OP PERIL.
' 'Good-bye ' , litllo boy ; kiss papa good
bye , " said my husband , ns ho held our
tun-months-old child aloft in his slroug
hands , kissed his fair face , and rings of
silky hair , while baby cooed , and
clenched his small fingers in his lliick
brown beard.
"Take good care of mninma till papa
comes back. " This , as he laid Iho lit tie
fellow back in my arms , and giving me
a parting kisssprang lightly to the seal
of a huge covered wagon that stood at
tha door.
The span of powerful horses started
off at a brisk trot , as ho picked up the
lines and whistled to them , the cum-
barou ? vehicle rallied at their heels
over the green sward , for , as yet , there
was only a trail across the prairie to the
sotlloment , twenty miles awny , whither
ho was going to procure supplies forour
winter's use.
With baby crowing in my arms I stood
and watched Iho wagon's -white top till
it grew a lessoning speck on the broad
breast of the prairie and was lost in its
billowy grass ano drifting shadows.
Three months previous to the Into
Oclober morning of which I write , wo
loft our homo in a sleepy seaport of the
old bay stale and turned outfaces wesl-
ward.
From Omaha , the then terminus of
western railroad travel , wo performed a
tedious and perilous wagon journey to
the great plains that stretch away un
broken except by occasional bolts of
timber to the foot of the Black Hills.
Just within the edge of ono of these
timber belts , through which a noisy
creek tumbled along its rocky bottom ,
my husband , with true New England
thrift and foresight , determined to
"locate. " Here was an abundant forest
growth , mighty oaks and beeches , a
tine water power , miles and miles of
fertile poll , and eastern capitalists becoming -
coming excited o\or the project of a
railroad through this region. Already
in our dreams wo saw arise the schoolhouse -
house walls , the church spire , the nu
cleus of a fair city.
While our cabin was building wo had
subsisted on stores wo brought with us
and game with which the woods nnd
prairie abounded ; but now it became
uoe sary to make some preparation for
the long dreary monhts of winter , and
while my husband made this very need
ful journey , I must stay alone for at least
two days.
Up to this time , since the complolion
of our cabin , wo had not scon the face
of white men or Indians , and I had not
greatly dreaded his absence , but when
I had watched the white-topped wagon
out of sight , and turned to my empty
cabin and missed Ibo cheery presence
of ils master , I realized as I had never
before the solitude of my situation , the
viislncss and wildncss of the region
round-about , and thought with a shud
der of the hours of approaching dark
ness.
Lnto in the afternoon of that day I
was sitting in the open doorway , with
sewing on my lap , while baby , and
Brownie a small uog wo had brought
from tlio cast rolled on the short , soft
grass at my feet. For BOUIO hours a
smoky haze had steadily crept over the
landscape , hiding familiar points and
gradually dimming the lightof the sun ,
which , dull and lurid , sank slowly to its
prairie bed. Sometimes , us the wind
freshened , I fancied it brought on its
wings a smell of lire , but on the un
broken horizon no banner of smoke
arose to warn us of impending danger.
Suddenly , as I raised my eyes a mo
ment from my work ; my gaze became
ilxcd on a small object , u mere speck in
the far distance ; boon other forms ap
peared , and steadily grow on the bight.
I ran for a powerful Hold glarw , nnd boon
made them out to be a party of hor.so-
nion , traveling slowly , their horses'
heads drooping as though they were
very tired. Evidently they had made a
long march.
The level rays of the sun were in my
face ; every moment the haze deuDoned ,
and I could not determine whether then
riders were white men or Indians. In
either case there much to fear. My
heart rose in my throat and my hands
trembled so I could nrdly sternly the
Within n milo of they halted nnd
tlrow together IH if - onsultation. Ono
of their number , tu ng in Ills paddle ,
leveled the gluts our direction ,
With a cry , I cm t my wondering
babe in my anus , _ into the cabin
utid carefully taste mil both door and
window * . Through u loop hole I
watched thorn still.
Again they moveij forward ; but in-
ptead of coming straiglitalong the trail ,
to my rolluf tliey diverged to their loft
and disappeared in the timber. Cnre-
'ully ' I examined the * " fastenings of tlio
door , drew heavy shutters across each
window , screened them with shawls nnd
jlnnkots that no raj' of light might bo
seen from without , nmlsoon tiflro curled
up the chimney , filling the rude apart
ment with n cheerful glow ; but ns night
. umo on n deep sense of loneliness net
tled down xipou my spirits , n realisation
of utlor helplessness should danger
.hrcalcn In uny form. "With my bubo
islccp in his cradle nnd Brownlo
stretched comfortably before the lire ,
[ eat and listened with shivers of ner
vous dread to the rising wind nnd the
patter of dry leaves ns they were borne
ilong on the gale.
With strained car I libtcned to every
ound , fancying at times thnt I heard
lionrso slvouts borne on the gusts , but
calmed my fears with the thought that
it was only the distant cry of n coyote
or the howl of a wolf. The cry of thcso
in i nuils is always n sweet lullaby to the
ionely settler or the traveler on the
plains , for he knows ns long ns they tire
liowling around his camp or ranch
there are no human prowlers in his
vicinity. Every other night of our stay
liero we hnd been regaled with their
music from sunset to near sunrise ; that
I did not hear them now with certainty
was additional cause of anxiety and
boded jio good to mo.
Ilarkl I bent eagerly forward nnd
; nxod with dilating eyes towards
Lho door. Surely that was a stop a
stealthy , creeping stop ! Again the
sound as of a hand passed along thorough
rough wall , or was it the snulling of n
wild beast about the doorV The dog
sprung to his feet , every hair bristling
along his spine and faced the door with
glaring eyes ; with smothered growls ho
llow from door to windows as though ho
were surrounded by enemies. A light
rap now sounded on the door followed by
a volley of barks and growls from the
dog that made baby spring in his cradlo.
[ hushed him and waited with bated
breath for the next move. Not long
was I kept in suspense , A thundering
Wow was delivered on the door , nud a
rough voice shouted :
"Ilellol the honsol Open the door
and be quick about it. "
This order was followed by a violent
shaking nnd pounding of the door , nnd
another voice shouted : "Ohoi you
needn't piny 'possuml' Open the door ! "
Then in n tone meant to be reassuring :
Wo only wantsuthln' to cat ; then we'll
go along. "
Above us was a loft , to which wo ns-
condcd by means of , ' rude stops made
from unshaven boaYds. Taking my
sleeping child in my arms , I llow to
those btairs as the tir t blow from some
heavy missile fell upon the floor. Has
tily drawing the stops up after mo , I
placed them across .the npnrluro and
rolled a barrel half idled with some
thing heavy upon them. At the same
moment the door cracking and splitting
under terrific bloWs , gave way , nnd
several men with 'shouts and coarse
laughter , pressed into the room. They
were evidently surprised to find it va
cant , and for a moment blood silent ,
then glancing at the opening and my
( reparation * for defense , revealed my
liding plnco.
"Como down old woman , " called ono ,
"and get us bonio supper. "
"Wo met your old man out'n the pur-
nry , " yelled another , "and we've only
como to cnll on yo. "
This pally was received with a burst
of laughter from the bandits , for such I
doubled not they wero. A horrible
thought seized mo. They had met my
husband , murdered him , and como here
to complete their dreadful work.
Ono of their number mounting a chair
caught hold of the ladder.
Standing near me was a shot gun ,
whether loaded or not I did not know.
With hands thnt no longer trembled , I
thrust the muzzle in hi- , face , ordering
him to "leave or I would . firel" lie-
darted quickly aside and a whispered
consultation was heard below. Then
ono said : "If yo won't como down , old
woman , toll ns whore to find yer grub. "
I directed them where to find food ,
and soon the contents of my small lar
der was spread before them , to which
they helped themselves with llttlo cer
emony. I watched the motley company
through the cracks of the loose flooring
as they devoured my white loaves , sam
ple preserves , and such tid-blts as the
cupboard contained , and a more vis-
cious , wild looking company I never
saw before , and hope never to meet
again. Sun-browned , roughly dressed ,
pants thrust into their boot-tons , wide
bolts filled with pistols , nnd ugly look
ing knives , whicn were used by them in
hewing off their portion of food. A
hardened , villainous lot of fellows , that
I felt certain would not hesitate at tiny
crime.
The ono addressed as ' 'cap'n" was a
small , wiry built man , quick , nervous
in manner , with close curling , yellow
ish-brown hair , slightly gray about the
temples' eyes gray , keen , restless and
cruelthat scorned to follow every move
ment of his followers. His moustache
of a reddish color , the long , pointed
ends swept back across his cheeks , gave
him a look so like a tiger that , with a
shudder , I withdrew my eyes and cov
ered them with my hands.
"My husband's murderer nnd my
own1' ! I groaned , while my heart grow
sick with fear. ( | . , ,
"Madam , " bpoke alsmooth , even tone
that I know belonged to him with the
tigerish face , "hnveiyou anything good
to drink in the house ? Wo would bo
glad to pledge your health. "
"And his'n out'n thrt parnry ! " yelled
anothorfollo\ved by a peal of uproarious
laughter.
t
"Yes , 1 answered ; i.'you ' will find a
small Haslc where yon-found food. "
A rush was mndo tp the cupboard , the
bottle was boon foundttnd passed among
them , eliciting numerous witty com
ments on the qualitiefi of Yankee rum.
I remembered nt this moment that in
n medicine chest in' ho loft where I
crouched at bay wqre two bottles of
home-made wine , brought from the east
and intended only for .sickness.
In order to gain time , nnd possibly
something of their good will , I resolved
to pass this down to them. Softly creep
ing to the box in which it wns kept , I
raised the lid and took out the bet
tles.
tles.As
As I raised them a small bottle with a
dark liquid foil over with a crubh that
made the villains below cease talking ,
and listen attentively. Raising this to
put in place I read ' 'Laudanum" on its
Itibol.
Itibol.With
With the sight of that word cnmo nn
inspiration a wild hope that sot my
heart beating tuniultuoutly. Would it
bueesail ? Mine was n desperate case ; it
\\M worth trying.
Quickly I poured oft a little of the
wine , turned half the laudanum into
eiuh bottle , shook them vigorously , re
placed the stoppers , covered them with
the labels , drew up the wlresandereoj > -
Ing to the stairway , said :
"Horn are two bottles of blue-
wrry wine , If you would like tImvo >
LlU'lll. "
There was a rush to the opening.
"Stand backl1' I commiuuied , present
ing the mm.zlo of the gun.
"Plucky by .Tovol" growled one. 03
they hastily mmlo a retrograde move
ment.
The leader came forward nnd I care
fully passed them down to him. I
waited in an agony of terror , lest at the
llr.st taste the drug would bo detected.
"Tastes a Icotlo queer , don't ' it ? "
queried one , smacking his lips. "
"Oh , tlml's nothing , " replied his
mate ; "home-made , you know. "
Glasses were brought , and round the
bottle were passed , the noise ns Iho
wino ( lowed growing moro fast and fu
rious ; coarse jokes , snatches of song ,
ind allusions to deeds that made my
Ucsh creep.
At last , to my great joy , the drug bo-
gait to toil.
" hot hero " remarked
"Infernally , ono ,
"makes a follow sleepy as the devil. "
By degrees till became quiet ; some
Colded their arms on the table and laid
Lholr heads upon thorn. The captain
Iropped his head comfortably on the
baclc of my willow rocker ; another threw
iiimsolf at full lunglh on Ihe bed , and
soon Iholr sonorous breathing toltl they
were slcopy-heavlly.
Kneeling in the semi-darkness , I
Lhankcd God for present safety , and im
plored llis further guidance and pro-
Lection. Raising my eyes I was startled
at seeing a glare of rod light on the
lloor before mo. In awe , not un-
tninglcd with fear , I ga/.ed on this
flaming beacon. Now paling , now
plowing , again burning with a steady
light.
I crept to the solitary pane that com
posed the window , at tlio farther end of
the loft , and looked out upon the night.
Around us the Ircss were bonding bo
lero the blast , which had now increased
almost to the violence of a hurricane.
Afar , the sky was illumined with a
fierce glare that grow each moment
liigher and brighter. The prairie was
cm lire , and the conflagration sweeping
down upon us with resistless fury.
There was no limo lo lose ! It rant-
Lcrod not now whether tno rullhins
Imlow awoke or not. Quickly the ladder -
dor was thrown inlo place , nnd clasping
my child , not beginning to waken and
cry , to my breasl , and clambered down.
Rushing to Ino door I flung it wide
open. The fire was perceptibly nearer ,
the air filled with smoke end cinders ,
and I could plainly see the leaping ,
roaring , flames. I paused on the tnres-
liold. Should I Icavo these men to
perish , or give them a chance for their
[ ivesi1 Mercy won. Springing to the
side of the nearest man , I shook him
with all my ihight , screaming :
"Fire ! tire ! the prairo is burning !
Fly for your lives ! "
Ho sprang to his feet , glaring round
in a bewildered manner. There was no
time to do moro. I rushed out into Hie
night and ran for my life not away
from Iho billowy llamos , but directly
toward them.
Out on the prairie , just beyond the
last clump of scrub oaks , was n piece of
plowed ground , a half-aero or so ; only
Lho day before had my husband turned
3vor the long lines of black mold. Could
I reach this spot wo would be saved.
Several times was I compelled locbange
my course to avoid palehcs of llaino
kindled by the cinders that fell in a
[ lory shower around us. The thicken
ing smoke hid from my sight the spot
of bare earth our haven of safety. I
could only guide my Hying feet by the
position of the above-mentioned trees , ,
nnd when I struck ils edge and felt ils
rough clods bcnenlh my feet , the lire
was half-way down on oitlicr side. Into
this furnace I plunged and throw my
self prone upon the earth in its center.
On swept the mighty whirlwind of
fire ; volumes of smoke rolled over our
heads ; long tongues of flame leaped
toward us , but harmed us not. Baby ,
wailing , throw up his litllo hands and
gasped for brcnlh.
A yell of mortal agony and fear , then
another , told that two of the band had
fallen victims of the flro fiend's breath.
In a few moments the wind had blown
away the smoke , and by the light of our
blazing homo I looked abroad ever the
blackened plain. The logs of which
our cabin wore built were comparatively
green , and did not burn as freely as an
older structure would have done , and
till morning I sat with my babe on my
lap , watching the play of flumes among
the fallen timbers ; then placing the
grassy side of n clod for a pillow , I
slept and forgot bolh danger and ser
row.
row.I was awakened by Iho whining of the
dog and his cold nose touching my
cheek. I rose to my knees and gazed
wildly in every direction , for his action
told plainly of some now danger.
Away across the fire-scorched prairie
against the rod light of the rising sun ,
black objects were moving. They
came nearer and near , grow larger and
larger upon the sight. Then a horrible
fear assailed my licart. Oh , God ! they
were Indians ! Had I escaped two
dreadful perils only to fall into their
merciless hands' ?
Between mo and the still smoking
ruins of my homo stood the blackened
stump and fallen trunkof a tree. Crawl
ing on hands and knees for I dared
not rise for fear of being seen I crept
behind them , lying prostrate upon the
ground , soothing my child as best I
could.
Calling the dog to mo , J grasped him
firmly by the collar , bidding him to bo
quiet , lesl ho should betray my hiding
place.
On cnmo the cavalcade and halted
within a few yards of us. With a. wild
yelp Iho dog broke from my dclaining
hand , and wilh joyous barks bounded
loward Ihom.
I rose to my feet , nnd paw , indeed , a
band of Indians , and in their midbt ,
wilh blanched cheek , and compressed
lips , my husband. The nexl momenl I
lay fninling in his arms.
In the botllemcnt ho had scon the fire
nnd knew his homo wus in its path.
Well mounted and accompanied by a
friend , ho rode all night guided by { ho
light of his burning homo.
Near morning they came upon the
camp of friendiy Indians , and they with
fresher horses were the first to dawn on
my starllcd vision. A few rods from the
house the charred bodies of t\vo men
were found , and among the ruins the
bones of their comrades. Afterwards it
was ascertained that these men were a
band of noted desperadoes , who had long
been a terror to the frontier , nnd to
their door was laid many a foul mur
der and deed of violence.
A few days of quiet with our good
friends in the sellloment quito restored
my shaken nerves , and soon the while-
topped wagon again sheltered us while
the logs were being hewn and fashioned
for another cabin , and before the first
blizzard swept down from the Itookics
wo were snug and warm in our new
home.
Rolling years Imvo brought mighty
changes. The railroad came ; the cily
rising around us is fairer than the city
of our dreams. Long ago wo left the
log cabin for a handsome udobo man
sion. In the peace , plenty and bright
ness of Iho present , the dangers and
privnlions of pioneer life are romem-
nored only ns "walors that pass away ; "
but when bright oycd children gather
about my knee lo listen to talcs of that
early time I often tell them the story ol
my Night of Peril.
V.
Can be had In Over 700 Different Styles and
| Sizes , at the same price as the counterfeits. |
Insist upon saelng Ihe Trada Hark or you may b deciivMh
THE MICHIGAN STOVE COMPANY . , Detroit , Chicago , Buffalo , !
KOlt 8A1.K UV
Milton Rogers & Sons , Omaha , Neb.
nlllTinill llownrnof . mirrlinnt . * lie roitunrixl othnr stnvnn In prtifpronre t < > I
liAII IIIIN ! - - " < Alll.ANDs. " 'llii'r . hnvo eltlifr fullfil In uri-uni dm . "liaclnntl"
unu i lull i H iMioy ornrf iNTl.iifSibi ) Hi HCIIK' | | | U < 9i ilo lrnlilp stori-i.
H. M. & S. W. JONES ,
( Successors to A. T. KENYON & CO. )
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
Booksellers and Stationers ,
1522 Douglas Street , Omaha , Neb ,
Diaries for 1888.
New Books and Albums.
Fine line Blanks Books and Fine Stationery.
GROCERIES WAY DOWN !
100 Ibs nertMlnm-wta Patent Flour..SJ 7f >
100 Ibs Snow Flnko "SI
14 Ibn Granulated Su ur. . . 1 Ul
4 Ibs Fancy Hlo Coffee 1 Ml
4 Ibs Oool ( THU 1 IX )
1(1-11) pall Family Mocker 1 W
l < Mb pall Family White leM 1 >
10-lb iiall Holland Heriii g 1 ( K )
Ibi Navy Hi'iins 8Ji
Hi Ibs Lima HtMius >
"
fillis Hlce - >
Tibs Macaroni 1 UJ
4 llw CornStaich UTi
41bslllrrt Scud ' >
Potatoes , bu /U
Salt Lake 1'otatoes 100
Tinnliovu nro. only n few or our innny bar < ; alnH. Como nnd gno
nn and lot un prove that wo uro trio uhuapcHt croccry houto In
omnhn !
N , E , Corner St. Mary's Avenue and 19th Street ,
HILL & Y01G ,
1211 and 1213 Farnam Street
Carpets , Stoves ,
WEEKLY AND MONTHLY PAY
MENTS ,
The oxnorlmcnt of fishing wilh clco-
tMo luinns Inclosed in gliibs globes n& a
lure to tlio prey hus not yotbecn proven
n success. A vessel thua equipped re
cently made a cruise to the Isle of Muii.
The lamps were Hunk with the beam of
the net to the depth of forty or JIfly
fathoms , the gliiHa plebe having been
throo-oightlis of an inch thick , bnt the
prubBure of the water was too great for
the glass , which broke , nnd the lights
wont out. Kxperirnenta are to bo nwdo
with itronger glass. . - .
lUst Hams. Ib 124
UnnulHtg Huron , Ib 1U ! ;
Halt I'm k , 11) JO
lU'st XXX Soilu Crivrkers , box , Ib . (14 (
I lest XXX ( ) j ti r Cruckura , box. . . . IK
Saunem , 1-lb uinn 18
S.irdluu.1 , Mustard 10
1Mb bo * Starch 4
JUbiirs Kirk's Houp it 00
7 b.irs Union Soap 1 00
1 burs Wliltu Itusshiu Soap 1 00
K-lb run Corn Meet SO
Illbs Italslits 86
HtkkCancly.il 13
Stkk Candy , II Ibs 85
Fruit Jellk-s.3 < Hbimll3 190
i
ila
WILL
NEVER
BREAK
FOR SALE EVERYWHERE
Proprietor Omaha Business College ,
IN WHICH IS TAUQHT
Book-Keeping , Penmanship ,
Commercial Law , Shorthand , Telegraphing
and Typewriting.
Send tor College Journal ,
S. E. Cor. 10th nna Cauital Ave ,
rt-i VM . .AA.1 . - ' '