Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, February 18, 1894, Editorial Sheet, Page 11, Image 11

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    THE OMAHA DAILY HEE : SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 18. 1891-SIXTEEiV PAGES.
BIFF OF SSK1U.
BY BRET HA.RTG.
IN TWO PARTS-PART II.
.
tH'ii > ullrtt l-atte.
was not nstonlnhed. the next
mornlnfj , to KCO Majur Ovcmtono and tlio
half breed walking together down the gully
road. For ho had already come to the con
clusion that' the major \vau planning come
extraordinary reprisal against the Invaders
that would Insure the perpetual security of
the camp. That ho should use KO Insignifi
cant and unimportant n tool now appeared
to him to be qiillo natural , particularly as
the service was probably ono In which the
man would bo sacrificed. "Tho major , " ho
nuggostcd to his companions , "ain't going to
risk n white man's skin when ho can got
un Injln's hide handy. "
The reluctant , hesitating step of the half
breed ns they walked along scorned to glvo
Homo color to this hypothesis. Ho listened
tmllcnly to the major as he pointed out the
li'ratcglc position of the bar. "That wagon
road Is the only approach to Wynyards , and
n dozen men along the rocks could hold It
against a hundred. The trail that you came
) > y , over the rldg < < , drops straight Into this
gully , and you saw what that would menu to
uny blanked fools who might try It. Of
course , we could bo shelled from that rldgo
If the sheriff had n howitzer , or the men
nlso know how to work one , but even then
wo could occupy the rldgo before them. "
Ho paused a moment and thru added : "I
used to bo in tlio army , Tom ; I saw service
In Mexico before that cub you got away from
had MH first trousers. I was brought up ns
n gentleman blank It all ! ami hero I
am' ' "
The man slouched on by his side , casting
bis Kitrly. furtive glances from left to right
fis If seeking to escape from these confi
dences. Nevertheless the major kept on
through the gully , until reaching the wagon
road they crossed It and began to ascend the
opposite slope , half hidden by the under ,
brush and larches. Hero the major paused
again and faced about. The cabins of the
Kcttlomont wcro already behind the bluff ;
the llttlo stream which Indicated the "bar , "
on which some perfunctory mining was still
continued , now and then rung out quite
rloarlynt their font , although the bar Itself
hud disappeared. The sounds of occupation
and labor had at last died out In the dis
tance. They were qulto alone. The major
Hat down on a boulder and pointed to
another. The man , however , remained sul.
lenly standing where ho was , as If to accent
us strongly as possible thn enforced com.
panlonshlp. Either the major was too self ,
ibsorbod to notice It , or accepted it us a
After tlio first shock nf resistant ? the major
had exhibited none of thn livllgnatlon of a
betrayed man , but actually Boemod to ac
cept the situation with n calmness that 1m
captor lacked. Ills voice was qulto tin-
emotional us he said :
"And how are you going to get mo away
from here ? "
"That's my look out and needn't trouble
you , major ; but seeing as how confidential
I you've been to me , I don't mind tcllln' you.
I Last night that posse of mine that you
i 'skunked' you know , halted at the cross
rods till them sojers went by. They has
only to see them to know that I had got
away. They'll hang around the cross roads
, till they see my signal on top of the ridge ,
and then they'll make another show again
that pass. Your men will have their hands
full , I reckon , without huntln' for you , ot
notjcln * tlio three men o' mine that will
como along this rldgo whore the sojera
como yesterday to help me get you down In
the same way. You see , major , your lltllo
trap In that gully ain't In this fight ! we're
I the other side of It. I ain't much of n
1 soldier , but I reckon I've got you there ; and
I It's all owing to you. I ain't , " he added
I gloomily , "tuhltf much pride In It my.
I self. "
I "I shouldn't think you would , " said the
major , "and look hero ! I'll double that offer
I I made you Just now. Set me down Just ns
I am on the deck of some coasting vessel
and I'll pay you $1,000. You may have nil
the glory of having captured mo here and of
making your word good before your posse.
Hut yon can arrange afterward on the way
to let me glvo you the slip somewhere near
Sacramento. "
The sheriff's face actually brightened.
"Thanks for that , Major , I was getlln' n
llttlo sick of my share In this job , but
you've put some sand In me. Well ,
then , there ain't gold enough In all Call-
to make mo let yon go ! You hear me ; so
drop that. I've look you and took yo'll
remain until I laud you in Sacramento jail.
I don't want to kill you , though your life's
forfeit n dozen times over , and I reckon you
don't care for It either way , but If you try
any tricks on me I may have to inilin ye
to make you come along com'fablo and easy.
| I ain't hiinkerln' artcr that , either , but come
| yon shall. "
I "Glv1 your signal and have an end of this , "
I said the major curtly.
i The sheriff looked nt him again curiously.
"I never had my hands In another man's
I pocket before , major , but I reckon I'll have
: to take your derringers from yours. " Ho
J slipped his hands Into the major's waistcoat
.7 3 ' ' - . .
A VAQUB AND UNDKFINAIILE TERROR WAS IN THE AIR.
charnctorlstlc of the linU-lircetl race. Ho
continued confidently :
"Now , look here , Tom ! I want to Icnvo
tills cursed hole and get clear out of the
state ! Anywlioro over the Oregon line Into
Drlllsh Columbia , or to the coast , where I
can get a coasting veHsel to Mexico ! It will
cost money , hut I've got It ! H will cost a lot
of HH.H | , but I'll take them ! I want some
body to help mo sonicono to share risks
with mo , and come ono to xharc my luck It
I succeed. Help to put mo on the other nlilo
of the. .bonier line , by sea or land , ami I'll
Klvu you $1,000 down before wo start and
11,000 when I'm safe. "
Tlio half-breed hail changed his slouching
bttlttnlo. It seemed more Indolent , on ac
count of the loosely hanging strap that had
once held his haversack , which was .still
vorn In a slovenly fashion over his shoulder ,
> s a kind of lazy sling for his shiftless ham ) ,
"Well , Tom , Is it u go ? You can trust
me , for you'll have the thousand In your
pocket before you start. I can trust you ,
( or I'll kill you quicker than lightning if
you say a word of this to any ono before
1 go er play a single trick on me after
ward. "
Suddenly the two men Were rolling over
liul over In the undorhrush , The halt
"breed had thrown hlmtielf upon the major ,
bearing him down to the ground. The
haversack strap for an Instant whirled Ilko
the loop of n ! asso In the nlr and descended
over the major's shoulder * , pinioning his
arms to his side. Then the half breed ,
tearing open his ragged blouse , stripped off
Ills waist belt , and as dexterously slipped
It over the ankles of the struggling man.
It was all over In a moment. Neither had
npoken a word. Only their rapid panting
broke the profound silence. ICach probably
know that no outcry would bu overheard.
For the first time the half breed sat
down. Hut there was no trace of triumph
or satisfaction In his face , which wore the
uame lowering look of disgust as ho gazed
upon the prostrate man.
"I want to tell you first. " ho said , slowly
wiping Ills face , "that I didn't kalkllato
upon doln' thla In this yer kind o' way. I
expected more of a stan' up fight from you
moro risk In gcttln' you out o' that hole
and a different kind of a man to tackle. I
never expected you to play Into my hand
like this , and It goes against mo tu hov to
take advantage of It. "
"Who are you ? " said the major , pant-
Ingly.
"I'm the now sheriff of Slsklyou. " Ho
drew from beneath his begrimed shirt a
paper wrapping , from which he gingerly
extracted with the ends of ) ils dirty llngora
a clean legal-looking folded paper. "That's
my warrant ! I've kept It fresh for you ,
I reckon you don't rare to read It you've
iccn It afore. It's just the Kama as t'other
licrirt had what you shot , "
"Then this was u plant nf yours and that
whelp's escort ? " said the major.
"Neither htm nor the escort know any
more about It than you , " returned the sheriff
( lowly. "I enlisted as Injln guide or scout
ten days ago. I deserted just as reg'lar
and nat'ral Ilko when wo passed that rldgo
yesterday. I could bu took tomorrow by the
eojers It they caught sight o' mo , and court
martlalcd It's as reg'lar as that ! Hut I
timed to have my posse , under a deputy ,
draw you off by an attack , Just as the escort
reached the rlilge , And hero 1 am. "
"And you're no half-brood ? "
"There's nothln' Injln about mo that water
won't wash off , I kulldlated you wouldn't
inspect anything HO Insignificant an an Injln
when I fixed myself up , You see Dawson
didn't hanker after mo much. Hut I didn't
reckon on your tumbling to mo sn quick.
That's what gets me ! You must hov' been
pretty low down for kempany when you took
u man like mo Inter your confidence. I
don't BCO It yet. "
Ilo looked Inquiringly at his captive with
the name wondering tutrllncHB. Nor could he
understand another thing which wan evident ,
and secured the weapons. "I'll have to
trouble you for your cash , too , " ho said , un
winding the knitted silken glrdlo from the
captive's waist. "You won't want It , you
ain't walking , and It'll come in handy 'to
me Just now. "
Ho bent over , and passing It across the ma
jor's breast with moro gentleness and solici
tude than ho had yet shone , secured him In
an easy sitting posture against n tree. Then
after carefully trying the knots and straps
that held his prisoner , lie turned ami lightly
bounded up the hill.
Ho was absent scarcely ten minutes , yet
when ho returned the major's eyes wore half
closed. . Hut not his lips. "If you expect to
hold mo until your posse comes you had bet
ter take mo to Homo less exposed position , "
ho said , drily. "There's a man Just crossed
the gully coming Into the brush below in the
"
wood.
"None of your tricks , major. "
"Look for yourself ! "
The sheriff glanced quickly below him.
A man with an axe on his shoulder could bo
seen plainly making his way through the un
derbrush not a hundred yards away. The
sheriff Instantly clapped his hands upon his
captive's mouth , but at a look from his eyes
took It away again.
"I see , " ho said grimly. 'yYou don't want
to lure that man within reach of my revolver
by calling to him. "
"I could have called him while you were
away , " replied the major , quietly.
The sheriff , with u darkened face , loosened
the sash that bound his prisoner to the tree ,
and then , lifting him In his arms , began to
ascend the hill cautiously , dipping Into the
heavier shadows. Hut the ascent was dif
ficult , the load n heavy one and the sheriff
was agllo rather than muscular. After n
few minutes' climbing ho was forced to pause
and rest his burden at the foot of a. tree.
Hut valley and the man In the underbrush
were no longer In view.
"Come , " said the major quietly , "unstrap
my nnkloa and I'll walk up. We'll never
get there at this rate. "
The sheriff paused , wiped his grimy face
with his grimier blouse and stood looking at
his prlsouer. Then ho said Hlowly :
"Look ycr ! Weil's your llttlo game ,
messed If I can follow suit. "
For the first limn the major burst Into a
rago. "lllasl It all ! Don't you see that If
I'm discovered hero In this way there's
not a man on the bar who would believe
that I walked Into your trail not a man
by Oed ! who wouldn't think It was a trick
of yours and mlno together. "
"Or."lnternipted the sheriff , slowly fixing
his eyes on hla prisoner , "not a man who
would ever trust .Major Overtoil for a leader
again. "
" 1'erhaps , " said Hie major unmovedly
again. "I don'l think cither of us would
ever got a chance of being trusted again by
any one. "
The sheriff still kept Ills eyes flxrd on his
prisoner , his gloomy face growing darker
under Its grime. "That ain't thu reason ,
major. Life and death mean much more
to you than they do to mo , In this yor game.
I know that you'd kill me quicker nor light
ning If you got the chance ; you know that
I'm takln' you to the gallows. "
"Tho reason Is that I want to leave Wyn-
yard'B Har , " sad | the major coolly. "And
oven this way out of It will suit mo. "
The sheriff took his revolver from his
pocket and del.beralely cockd It , Then lean
ing down ho unbuckled the strap from the
major's ankles , A wild hope that his In
comprehensible captlvu might se/o ! that mo
ment to develop his real Intent ; that ho
might My , tight , or In some way act up to his
reckless reputation , sustained him for a mo
ment , but In thu next proved futile , The
major only said , "Thank you , Tom , " und
stretched his cramped logs ,
"Get up and go on , " said the sheriff ,
roughly ,
The major began to Blowly ascend the hill ,
the ihtrlfl clone ou his heels , alert , tingling
nnd watchful of every tnomont. For n few
moment ! ! this strain upon his faculties
seemed to Invigorate him and hl gloom re
laxed , but presently It liccnme too evident
lh.it the prisoner's pinioned nrms made It
Impossible for him to balance or help him
self on that steep trail , and once or twice he
stumbled nnd reeled dfliiKcrouily to one side ,
With an oath the sheriff caught him and
tore from his arms the only remaining bonds
that fettered him ,
"There ! " he said savagely ; "go on we're
equal. "
Without replying the major continued his
ascent ; It became steeper as they nearcd the
crest , and nt last they wcro both obliged to
drag themselves up by clutching the vines
nnd underbrush. Suddenly the major stopped
with n listening gesture. A strange roaring
as of wind or water wns distinctly audible.
"How did you signal ? " asked the major ,
abruptly.
" .Made n smoke , " said the shcrllt ns ab
ruptly.
"I thought so. Well , you've set the Wooden
on tire. "
They both plunged upward again , now qulto
abreast , vicing with rach other In reach the
summit ns If with the ono thought only. Al
ready the sting nnd smart of acrid fumes
wcro In their eyes and nostrils. When they
nt last stood on level ground ngaln It was
hidden by n thin film of grayish-blue haze
that seemed to be creeping along It. Hut
above was the clear skv , seen through the
Interlacing boughs , nml to their surprUc , they
who had just come from the breathless ,
stagnant hillside , a Ilerce wind was blowing !
Hut the roaring waB louder than before.
"Unless your three men uro already here ,
your game Is up , " said the major calmly.
"The wind blows dead along the rldgo where
they should come , and they can't get through
the smoke and fire. "
It wna Indeed true ! In the scarce twenty
minutes that had elapsed since the ulifrllT'B
return the dry nml brittle underbrush for
half a mile on cither side had been converted
Into a sheet of llamo , which at times rose tea
a furnace blast through the tall chimney-
like conductors of three shafts , -from whose
shriveled sides bark wus crackling nnd
lighted dead limbs falling in all directions.
The whole valley , the gully , the bar , the
very hillside they had Just left , was blotted
out by a creeping , stilling smoke-fog , that
scarcely rose breast high , but was beaten
down or cut off cleanly by the violent wind
that swept the higher level of the forest.
At times this gale became n sirocco In tem
perature , concentrating Its lieat In withering
blasts which they could not face or focusing
Its Intensity upon some mass of foliage that
seemed to shrink at its touch nnd open n
scathed and quivering alslo to its approach.
The enormous skeleton of n dead and rotten
redwood , not 100 yards to their right , broke
suddenly like n gigantic firework Into sparks
of Hume.
The sheriff had grasped the full meaning
of their situation. In spite of his first error
tlm very carelessness of familiar his
knowledge of woodcraft was grcati-i than
his companion's , nnd he saw their danger.
"Come , " ho said quickly , "Wo must make
for nn opening or we shall be caught. "
The major smiled In misapprehension.
"Who could catch us hero ? "
The sheriff pointed to the blazing tree.
"That"he said. "In live minutes It will
have a posse Hint will wipe us out. "
He caught the major by the arm and
rushed him Into the smoke , and apparently
In the direction of the greatest mass of
Maine. The hcnt was suffocating , but It
struck the major that the moro they approached
preached the actual scene , of conflagration
the heat and smoke became less , until he
saw that the flre was retreating before them
and the following wind. In n few moments
their havihi of safety tlio expanse already
burned over came In sight. Hero and
I hero seen dimly through the drifting smoke
thn scattered cmhorH Unit still strewed the
forest floor glowed in weird nebulous spots
Ilko will o' the wisps. For nn instant the
major hesitated ; thu sheriff cant a signifi
cant glance behind them.
"Go on ; It's our only chance , " he said Im
peratively.
They darted on , skimming the blackened or
smouldering surface which nt times struck
out spark and llamo from their heavier footprints -
prints as they passed. Their boots crackled
and scorched beneath hem ; their shreds of
clothing were on ( Ire ; their breathing became
moro dinicult , until , providentially , they fell
upon nn abrupt , Ilssure-liko depression of
the soil , which the flro had leaped , and Into
which they blindly plunged and rolled to-
KPthcr. A moment of relief and coolness
followed as they crept along the fissure flllcd
with damp and rotting leaves.
"Why not stay here ? " said the exhausted
prisoner.
"And bo roasted like sweet potatoes whei\
tlicho trees catch , " returned the sherlfj
grimly. "No. " Kvcn as he spoke a dropping
rain of flro spattered through the leaves
fiom n splintered redwood , before over
looked , that was How blazing fiercely in the
upper wind. A vague and undellnnble terre : .
was In the air. The conflagration no longer
seemed to obey any rule of direction. The
incendiary torch hud passed Invisibly every-
thiniT. Thpv Krrntiihlpd nut nf thn hnllnu * nml
again dashed desperately forward.
Ileatcn. bruised , blackened nnd smoke-
grimed , looking less human than the anl.
ninls who hud long since deserted the crest ,
they at last limped Into a "wind opening"
In the woods that the flro had skirted. The
major sank exhausted ! ) " to the ground ; the
sheriff throw himself beside him. Their
strange relations to each oilier seemed to
bo forgotten ; they looked nnd acted ns It
they no longer thought of anything beyond
the present. And when the sheriff finally
arose nnd , disappearing for several minutes ,
brought his hat full of water for his prisoner
from n dlstnnt spring that they had passed
In their flight , lie found him whcro ho had
left him , unchanged and unmoved.
Ho took the water gratefully , and after n
pause , fixed his eyes earnestly upon his
captor. "I want you to do me a favor , " ho
said slowly. "I'm not going to offer you n
bribe to do It either , nor ask you anything
that Isn't In a line with your duty. 1 think
I understand you now , If I didn't before. Do
you know Drlggs' restaurant In Sacramento - ,
mento ? "
The sheriff nodded.
"Well , over the restaurant are my private
rooms the finest In Sacramento. Nobody
knows II bul Hrlggs , and ho has never told.
They've been locked ever since I loft ; 1'vo
got thu key still In my pocket. Now when
wo gut to Sacramento , instead of taking me
straight to jail I want you to hold me as
your prisoner for u day and n night. I
don't want to get uwny ; you can take what
precautions you Ilko surround the house
with policemen and sleep yourself In the
ante-room. I don't want to destroy any
papers nor evidence ; you can go through
the rooms and examine everything before
and after ; I only want to slay there n day
and n nlglil ; I want to bo In my old rooms ,
have my meals from the restaurant as I
used to and Bleep In my own bed once more.
I wanl to live for ono day like n gentleman ,
as I used to live bofnro 1 came hero. That's
all , II Isn't much , Tom ; yo ucan do II and
say you require to do It to get evidence
against me , or that you want to search the
rooms. "
The expression of wonder which had como
Into the sheriff's face at the beginning of
this speech deepened Into his old look of
surly dissatisfaction. "And that's all yo
want ? " ho said , gloomily. "Yo don't want
no friends no lawyer ? For I lull you
.strnlghl out , major , there ain't no hope for
yo when the law once gets hold of yo In
Sacramento. "
"That's all. Will you do It ? "
The sheriff's face grow still darker. After
a pause ho said : "I don't say 'no , ' ami I
don't say 'yes. ' Hut. " ho addedgrimly ,
"It strikes mo we'd better \valt till wo gel
clear o' Ihcso woods before you think o'
these Sacramento lodgings. "
The major did not reply. The day had
worn on , but the lire now completely en
circling them opposed any passage In or out
of that fateful barrier. The smoke of the
burning underbrush hung low around them
In a bank equally Impenetrable to vision.
They were as alone as shipwrecked sailors
on an Island , girdled by u horizon of clouds.
"I'm going to try to sleep , " said thu major ,
"If your men como you can woke me. "
"And If your men come ? " said the sheriff ,
dryly.
"Shoot mo. "
Ho laid down , closed his eyes , nml , to
the sheriffs astonishment , presently fell
asleep. The sheriff , with his chin In his
Krlmy hands , sat and watched him as the
day slowly darkened around them , and the
distant fires came out In more lurid In
tensity. The face of the captive nnd out
lawed murderer was singularly peaceful ;
that of the captor und man of duty was
haggard , wild and perplexed.
Hut even thin changed soon. The BleepIng -
Ing man utlrred restlessly and uneasily ,
his face began to work , his lips to move.
"Tom ! " ho " "
gasped suddenly , "Tom !
The sheriff bent over him eagerly , The
sleeping man's eyes were still closed ; beads
of sweat stood upon Ills' ' foijohend. Ho wns
dream I ng. I i' '
"Tom , " ho whispered , "take mo out of
this place take mo out from those degs
nnd pimps nnd beggars ! Listen , Tom--
llicy'ro Sydney Duck's illCKet-oMcave men ,
short card sharps and sneak thieves ! There
Isn't n gentleman ninon'frv'ciii. ' There Isn't
ono I don't loathe nnd hate nnd would
grind under my heel elsewhere. I'm n
gentleman , Tom yes , Iyt ( Oed ! nn officer
and a gentleman ! I've served my country
In tlio Nlnih cavalry. " That cub of West
I'olnt knows It nnd des lsps me , seeing mo
hero In such company. ' That sergount
knows It I recommended'him for his first
stripes for nil he tnuntriHno , d n him ! "
"Come ! wake up"njsad ! ! the sheriff ,
harshly.
The prisoner did not heed him ; the
THERE , HE SAID SAVIGLY , GO ON
WE'RE EQUAL.
sheriff shook him roughly , so roughly that
the major's waistcoat and shirt dragged
open and disclosed his fine silk undershirt ,
delicately worked and embroidered with
golden thread. At the sight of this abased
and faded magnificence the sheriff's hand
was stayed ; his cyo wandered over the
sleeping form before him. Yes , the hair
was dyed , too ; near the roots It was qulto
white and grizzled ; the pomatum was com
ing off the pointed moustache and Imperial ;
the face In that light was very haggard ;
the lines from the angle of the nostril and
mouth were like deep , half-healed gashes.
The major was , without doubt , prema
turely worn and played out.
The sheriff's persistent eyes , however ,
seemed to effect what5hls ruder hand could
not. " " The sleeping man stirred , awoke to
full consciousness , and sat up.
"Are they here ? I'm" ready , " he said
calmly.
"No , " said the sheriff , deliberately. "I
only woke ye to say that I've been thlnkln'
over what you asked erf ' ine , and If we get
to Sacramento all right'-why I'll do It and
give ye that day and night at your old
lodgings. "
"Thank you. "
The major reached ont his hand ; the
sheriff hesitated , am ! t'hert extended his own.
The hands of the two men clasped for the
first , and , It would seem , the last time
* * * * ! * It
For the "cub of "West Point" was , like
most cubs. Irritable wlifcn thwarted. Ami
having been balked of Vilsf prey , the desarter ,
and possibly chaffed by Ills comrades for his
profitless Invasion of Wynyard's Dar , he
had persuaded hs ! commanding olllcer to
give him permission to effect- recapture.
Thus It came about that at dawn , filing
along the ridge , on the putsklrts of the
fire , his heart was gladdened by the slghi
of the half breed , with his hanging ham
mock belt and tattered army tunic , evi
dently still a fugitive , not 100 yards away
on the other side 7 > f the belt of lire , running
down the hill with another ragged figure at
his side. The command to "halt" was en
forced by a blnglo rifle shot over the fugi
tives' heads but they still kept on their
flight Then the boy'ofilccr snatched a carbine
from one of his men , a volley rang out from
the little troon the shots of the privates
mercifully high , those of the officer and ser
geant leveled with wounded prldo and full
of deliberate purpose. The half breed fell ,
so did his companion , and , rolling over to
gether , both lay still.
Hut between the hunters and their fallen
quarry roared the cheval de frlso llanio. and
fallen timber , impossible to cross. The
young olllcer hesitated , shrugged his shoul
ders , wheeled his men , and left the lire to
correct any Irregularity In his action.
It did not , however , change contempora
neous history. For a week later , when \Vyn-
yard's Dar discovered Major Overstono lying
beside the man now recognized by them as
the disguised sheriff of Slsklyou they rc-
jolcod at this unfailing evidence of their lost
leader's unequaled prowess. That ho had
again killed a sheriff and fought a whole
posse , yielding only with his life , wns never
doubted , and kept hU memory green In Sier-
ran chronicles , long after Wynyard's liar
hud Itself become a memory.
THE END.
1'II.ITTI.K ' > / ' TIIK r
Minister Tommy , what Is happiness ?
Tommy ( promptly ) It's when yon'ro eatln' .
Auntlo It Isn't good form to hold your
fork In that way. Llttlo Niece Auntlo , do
you think It is good form to stare nt folks
while they are eating ?
Tommlo Papa , when people sell things by
the pound do they over weigh the scales ?
Papa Certainly not , my boy. Tommle
Then how do they weigh fish.
"Say , Jimmy , what's a millionaire ? Do
you know ? " "Yes. It's n man that takes his
llttlo boy to all the shows , an' buys him
candy 'thout tellln' him It'll make him sick.
Visitor Tommy , I wish to ask you n few
questions In grammar. Tommy Yes , sir ,
"If I give you the sentence , 'The pupil
loves his teacher , ' what Is that ? "Sarcasm. "
"I guess 1 know why worms Is called
worms , " said Johnnie ; , ( is ho watched his
father bait his hooV , ' "Why ? " asked his
father. "Decauso ' they rhyme with
squirms. " |
Tommy Huh ! You .needn't feel so stuck
up. Your daddy used Jo , drive a milk wagon.
Sammy I know it. rvo heard him say
your daddy's been o\vtn"hlm a milk bill of
$4 for morc'n sixteen K'W8- '
Mamma ( to llttlo daughter ) Never forget
to thank God for everything , my child.
Child If I didn't llktt" It. too ? Mamma-
Yes , always ; overythlhfe Is for the best.
Child ( running In am hour later ) Mamma ,
thank God I've brokoiitlio now pitcher.
"You boys are very quiet out there lit
that barn. " called out , . Willie's mother ,
suspiciously. "Ycu'iiii-V , responded Willie ,
opening the back iloni and gently urging
out Into the alloy a largo yellow dog with
n tin can tied to lils ull. "We're playln'
'
Sunday school ! " ,
The 3-year-old boy pf an editor on tie )
east side , Kansas City , has a degress for a
nurse. She Is black and ugly asto facial
features , but seraphic as to disposition , and
loves her charge with the affection peculiar
to her race. Shu had never been able to
persuade him to kiss her and th llttlo chap
would never glvo n reason for withholding
the osculation. Finally , one day last week ,
he succumbed to the pleadings of the nurse
and yielded the Ulss. Immediately It wus
given ho ran to 'his mother crying : " 1
klthed Hetty , and her dou't tusto good. "
Hobby Pop , what h s giraffes got such
long necku for ?
Fond Parent God pave them their long
necks no that they could reach the leaves of
the palm , which only grow at the top of
thii tree. That Is the only way they can
get at them.
Uotiby ( after a pause ) Couldn't ho have
made the leaves grow lower down ?
Cure Indlgegtlon and biliousness with
DeWIU'e Little. Early Riser * .
THE SWEDES IN NEBRASKA
A Forceful Element in the Development of
Polk Oountj ,
WHAT THE PIONEERS HAVE DONE
IntrrrHtliig IIMtorlntl I'lii-tn HcliitlliK li >
iH OrKiitilrutliiiis anil llnnlnrxi
mill I'dllllciil l.irr rri > Krriiil\u !
mid rroiprrnii * .
During tlic full of 1S72 the pioneer settlers
In tlio present Swede Homo BCtttcincnt In
Polk county received n pastoral visit from
Hcv , A. Is' . Swede , then In chnrgo of tlio
Lutheran church nt Omaha. Tlio reverend
gentleman wns so well pleased with the line
appearance of the country and the future
prospects of the settlement that ho took a
homestead and promised to return and be
come their spiritual shepherd.
In May , 1S73 , Hcv. Sweders returned and
settled on his homestead and toward the
latter part of that summer a formal church
organization was effected. Hcv. Swcders ,
however , prescribed very severe require
ments or spiritual attainment ; ) necessary to
legibility , for membership , so that only fives
could como up to the high standard , and
tthcse were Hev. Sweders , A. 1' . Tllley , C' .
Thelander , B. J. Anderson and his wife.
The following Sunday the membership was
Increased by J. 1' . Hull and wife and N. I" .
Unit.
At a meeting hr-ld July 12 , 1S73 , the con
stitution recommended by the Augustnna
synod was adopted and two weeks later the
membership was further Increased by the
following additions : Lars Larson. O. (1.
Swnnson and Olof Dcrglln , and shortly after
ward by C. Lundgrcn.
During the month of October. 1S7.1 , the
membership was Increased by about twenty
additions , but have failed to secure their
names.
At n meeting held January 2 , 1571 , Hev.
Sweders presiding and N. i' . Hull secretary ,
the following ofllcers were elected : Dea
cons , L. Larson , C. Lumlberg , 'Olof Derglln
and R. J. Anderson ; trustees , August Hull.
O. ( J. Swanson and N. P. Hull. A committee
consisting of C. Johnson , Olof Ilerglln. P.
Peterson. E.LIndblad and C. Tliclandcr were
selected to decide upon the location of the
church building , committee to report Feb
ruary 2 , 1S74.
At the above meeting the resignation of
Hev. Sweders was called for , and as he
shortly thereafter receiveH a call from
lloone , la. , ho moved from that settlement.
At the meeting held February 2 , 187-1 , the
committee on church site recommended the
corner near Peter Anderson's farm. The
report of the committee was not approved
and the beautiful location upon which the
church was dually bulldcd was selected. The
settlement , during the pastoral vacancy , re
ceived visits from Hev. S. 0. Lamm of
Saunders county.
At the meeting held January 2 , lS7ri , C.
IVlirson presiding and N. P. Unit scribe , P.
J. Anderson and John Nelson wcro elected
deacons , and P. J. Anderson and C. Kred-
rlckson trustees. Hev. L. P. Ahlqulst was
called to the pastorship , which was accepted.
During the summer of 1870 the church
was hullded , size 21x32 feet. The parsonage-
was also built the same year. In 1SS2 the
present commodious and elegant church was
erected ; cost Including personage , $10,000.
Present membership 050.
HHLIGIOUS OHGAN'IZATIONS AND
CIIimC'URS.
The first Haptlst church was organized In
the fall of 15 > : i at the home of Mathew Sam-
uelson , two miles west of Slromsbtirg , with
eleven members , viz. : Mathew Samuelson and
wife , neorgo Mattson and wife , A. Norln
and wife , L. Illoni and wife , Jonas Ruckloy
and wife , and Mr. Hurgcson. The first pas
tor , was Hev. Lundgren , who has been fol
lowed by Rovs. A. P. Palm , A. P. Ekman ,
L. Arlnnden , II. Larson.
The church edifice was built In 188(1. ( Is nf
brick , and has a seating capacity of GSO ,
costing J9.000 ; membership , 22ii.
The Swedish Evangelical Lulheran Mis
sion Covenant church Is one among the old
est church organizations In the county. At
the time the location of the Swcdo Homo
church was decided upon , the minority , who
was displeased with the location , formed an
organization In 1874 , and a lot was presented
by the Stromsbnrg Townslte company , and
upon which the present structure was
erected. Hov. Qulst , the present pastor , has
been In charge since 1890.
During the winter of 1874-5 Mr. C. O.
Norton , a prominent 1'armer of Swcdo
Plains. Polk county , was moved to wrlto to
Hov. njurstrom , then located at Saronvllle ,
this state , to come and make a pastoral
visit. The reverend gentleman responded to
the call , and on the 14th day of May , 1875 ,
was delivered the first Methodist sermon In
the Swedish language In Polk county ; this
service was held nt the farm residence of C.
O. Norton.
January 1 , 187C , was organized a class by
Huv. John Llnd. presiding older , consisting
of five full members ; I. e. , P. Stenberg and
wife , P. Wallberg and wife , and Mrs. Helena
Hurtlg. Four on probation , I. e. , C. O. Nor
ton , Mary Norton , Swon Hokanson and Ingrl
Iloknnson.
The above "class" belonged to the Button
"circuit" and received preaching once n
month until the close of that conference
year , as well as the following conference
year 1S77. Hev. O. J. Swan being pastor of
said "circuit. "
During the fall of 1878 this "class" was
transferred to the West Hill ( Platte county )
"circuit ; " Hev. Olen Swanson pastor. This
"class" continued to grow slowly , but surely
until In the fall of 1879 it asked for a resi
dent pastor , which was also granted by the
conference of that year , and Hev. John A.
GubrielKon was assigned as the first resi
dent pastor. During the same year the
missionary work had extended from Swcdo
Plain to Stromsburg ; It is about six miles
between the two points.
In the fall of 18SO Rev. John Jacobson
was assigned to this charge , succeeded In
1SS1 by Rev. John Simpson , who remained
until 18SJ , when Hov. F. C. Ltmlqulst be
came pastor for one year , succeeded by Rev.
N. Peterson , and during his charge there
was < ] iilte an Increase In membership.
In 1S80 Rev. J. M. OJcrholm took charge
of the two congregations for one year , suc
ceeded by Hev. J. H. Anderson , and ho In
turn , after one year , by Hev. Lumlcen.
During the fall of 1831 Hev. H. Q. Nlelton
came and remained until the fall of 1893 ,
when Hev. Kngstrom was transferred to
this place from Larsonvllle.
Tlio Swedish Rvengollcal Lutheran church
of Stromsbnrg wan organized In 1SSS. The
church was built In 1889 ; cost , $3.300.
The Swedish business and professional
men of Stromsburg are :
S. U. Samuelson & Co. , dealers In grain ,
live stock and coal.
Peterson & Halldlno of the firm of Scott ,
Peterson & Halldlno. dealers in general
merchandise.
Carlson. Leo & Jones , dealers In hardware.
A. P. Anderson , meat market.
Farmers and Merchants bank , John \ \ ill-
son , president. Albert Ilcdlund. cashier.
The Stromsburg bank , owned principally
by John Po and P. T. nuckley.
Olof Netsell , of the firm of Netsoll &
Wlurd. dealers In hardware and groceries.
A.V. . Anderson , groceries and boots and
Anton Anderson , general merchandise.
L. H. Hedstrom. of the firm of Skclton &
Hedstrom , general merchandise.
Mr. SteiiHtrom. general merchandise.
Andrew Nunulst , general merchandise.
Norman & HaltcjuUt. farm Implements.
A. P. Llndberg. farm Implements.
William Hubbard , drugs and medicines.
0. J. Johson , with Scott & Johnson , farm
Implements.
Peter lUnbon , manager of Chlcaco Lumber
" " " '
{ 'A/Brlckison / , Jeweler and musical Instru-
" ' ' '
'j' A. Anderson. Jeweler and watch re
pairing. . , , . . . .
StromsburK Uriels cowpany. Ilcrfilund , Iscl-
son & Kodln.
Uauc Iloostrom , brick manufacturer.
Alfred Anderson , harness maker.
Mr. Anderson , photographer.
Ryder house. Captain Larson , proprietor.
John OlHon , blacksmith.
Carlson & Nelsell , wagon mak.iK tnd gen
eral repairing.
Mr. WtstlniiD , editor and proprietor ot
the Now * .
( lust Hydburg , manufacturer of wagons
and water tanks.
Hundberg & Krlckson , tnamifitctnrcra of
windmills.
John Tongtip , nltorney-nt-law.
Dr. Anderson , physician and surgeon
The Swedish buslnetts and professional
men of Oscola are ; A. O. Monion , dealer In
general merchandise and owner of opera
house.
Peterson > t Nelson , grain dealers ,
X. P. Freeman , dealer In live FtoM ,
Charles Anderson , boot and shoo maker.
Mr. nyltlng , blacksmith and wiigon maker.
Mr. Woberg , painter mid decorator.
Hero as elsewhere this nationality has cut
n very narrow swath In nlllcc holding , not
withstanding their numerical strength. Mr.
llerggren held tlio oillco of county com.
mlsslonrr two terms , anil Mr. A. O. Mouson
the office of county treasurer QUO term. Mr ,
J. 12. Peterson , who was deputy county
clerk one term , \va * "looted hist fall and
qualified the first week uf this year as comity
clerk. KRIC JOHNSON.
Sweet breath , sweet stomach , sweet tem
per ? Then use DoNVItf.s Little Karly Risers.
I'Acrttinntri \ \ , 1'iui.i.s.
Ilrlck Is made from Mag.
Pekln has lf.,000 police.
Russia has railway schools.
Electric tanning Is increasing.
Winnipeg car faro Is 2 cents.
Japan has 100 national banks.
We export hops to Germany.
Connecticut has 30,000 farms.
America h.is 20.000 newspapers.
Texas Is first In cattle anil cotton.
Liverpool has an electric elevated.
'Frisco Is the leading whaling port.
The states have 1,000 saving banks.
Our wool crop Is .IGl.triii.titiG poundn.
New York clly has 300,000 Hebrews.
A ton ot diamonds H worth $35,000,000.
Germany's navy employs 18,051 men.
Submarine cables stretch 110,400 miles.
Florida raises fifty varieties of oranges.
The states contain 1 " . ,000,000 horses.
Uncle Sam loads the world In the wheat
output.
Blankets wcro named after the Inventor.
Arizona ranks fifth In silver production.
Germany has 5,000,000 savings banks de
positors.
sag Qt 3.UUO pV
i * > ®
IS THE BEST.
RELIEVES PROMPTLY ind
CURES QUICKEST.
/ \ v o i D
lir "TiTiTIOH |
THE COMPLEXION AND BEAUTY ,
MME. M. YALE'S
Excelsior Ccmploxlon Romocilos
Awnrdcd the Highest , Medals nml Di
plomas from tlio World's FullCo -
lumbiun Exposition.
Mine. Yale , \Vorlrt-P.inied Complexion
.Specialist , IB tlio inoBt beautiful woiniui living.
Her buuiity IIUH been oiiltlvateil iiiul liur youtli pre
served by the lisa of tlieso vemaillCJ. . At ! ! Hlio
does not look more than 18.
PRICE LIST
And Mine. Yale's Advlco
FOR WITH PATCHES , SALLQWNESS ,
Thick , dead Hkln or nny other discoloration I roc-
oniniond my Complexion Hlo.ich , uii'l Kimranteo U
will remove all H'.cln ' blemishes and iflvo a p > rfect ,
natural complexion equal In pnrltV and b-antv to
achlld'H. l > rlcu , sm.HO per bottle ; I ! for * . ! . It IH
advisable to nsu three bottles If the oasIH of Ion ?
Htanuliif , although ono bottlu In HiillUlenl In piany
C.ICBS.
WniHKlES AND SKIN FOOD.
Excelfllor Slttn Food will remove any case ot
wrinkles and every trac-o of nsa. It has li.'on
ested by thn greatest cho nlc il i"cpel * and pro
nounced niarveloim. It makes tiabby lluHli llrm
and tlio olU.wlthcri'd hltln frojn.c'l.utli-a.rlyonth-
fnl , HiinkiMi ehi't'UH round and plump. Two Hlzus ;
prluo , ifl.nt ) and ftl.oil p r Jar.
FRECKLES AND LA FRECXLA-
It matters not If fri'CUU'H have been from youth
to old niro TJI : i'ruekln will remove th"iii In iivi-ry
caw. In eighteen months over n iinarlur of a
million men , women and children havi < In cured
of ( ruckles and their Hkln made lirantlful. It IH
hamluBH and wonderful. Trice , * 1 ( ID p r bottle.
THE HAIR AIIDEXCELSIOJ IIAin TONII.
Oray hair Is now turned back to its nrmlml color
wilhout dvi < for the llrut limn In the hlHtory of the
world. Mmo. Ynle'B MxeelHloi4 HalrToiile Iseon-
I deri'd the uumt advanced trluiitph In clienilHtry.
'It n'HtoreH Iho natural color to ur iv hair. eontaliiH
nodye. and Htops hair falllni ; In from'JI hourn to
one week. Can bu ivlled on to create an imlotilHli-
tiu ; Kruwlli. For bald head * It In marvelous. Trice ,
$1 pur bottle ; I ) for $3.
GUIDE TO BEAUTY'
Nino. Yale will Hend her Gmiln to Ile.iut.v , " n
valuable hook. free , to l.l lies H > iulliu It cents In
porttai ; . ' Htamps to p'iy for mailing Hanio. UIVUH
exlraets from Minn. Yale H famous lectured on
beauty , and ireiior.il advice on beauty culture -tho
uuiHt advanced brunch of education -which KIVOH
every woman an eipial chance to become beautiful
and remain yonni , " ahvayH.
Send all mall orders to Mine. Yale nt her head-
( liiarterH , Temple of lluanly , 1-1(1 ( State Nt. , Cht-
caco. 111.
JIAII. OKDKHS Ladles , you limy order your
HoudH by mall or itet them from your drn 'irlHl. If
hodocHiiotkeel ) them Henil Mmo. Yale MM name.
Ho must bo behind the Union.
Mm M. YALE
© . . ,
lllltt Cc ) ll//O.V/Ofl
501 Knrbach Block.
15th and Douglas Strcsts , Omaha , Neb ,
Alain Olllcc , MO stulo St. , UliliMBii , 111.
( From U. S. Journal o/Mttliciiit. )
rrofW.II.Pcelicwlioinnlii'8aBp'cl8ltyof Killip | y ,
hug N Ithout doubt treated and cured more caeca than
Bnylivlni ; Phjelclan ; hlaencc < ! cgiaiitonl8liliiVa |
ImvohenrdnfcaecaofSOyrare'etandlniiciirt'ilhyhini.
1 lo piililinlii'8.1 vnhmhlo work on thin Oil ease which liu
scmli ulth a lirjo ; ; hotllu cf Ills nutoluto cure , free to
any tuffvrcr who may tend their I'.O. and Kiprcii ad.
drese. Wo aiV'lua nuyono wlelilnu a euro to addrcus.
1'rof. W. II. I'EEKK ' , V. V.,4 CcUar SU , New York ,
SEARLB &
SEARLES ,
SPECIALISTS
TUIiT.ui.Nr : nv Mn. .
CniMiiH.it Ion I'r.U' .
AND
r-flll on or mtilrt'in with stamp for clrculnu
five I look. tvcelit8 | utul symptom blnnUs.
Dr , Searles and Searles , TSJ "iU v NI
Fh'M Hinlrwny ftoufli of juit office. Uooni
,7 Or.mha , Nebi'tiHliti
" "
"MAGNETIC NERVINE.
Is aohl with written
tiuarantoo In euro
Nervouanrostrn-
tion , Flta , Dlill-
jnf Opium ,
r'ai.co utul Alcn-
' ! ' _
\fS& 'K' ' ' . vi x > -
' BEFORE - / - \ ntrniou , Uorteninixnr
the Brnln , cnuslnR Misery , Inmmlty nnd Death |
llnrroni'Ht' , Impntfiiry , Lost Power In oUhorfei ,
Promuturo Old A o , Inviiliitilnrvl/i , .nonu-c.l .
liyover-lnduluenco , ovni'- > x'rlliiof tlm Ilrnln nnd
Errors of Youth. It ( jive * In UVnk Orenno tlnilr
Nnturul Vigor nnd doubles the jn > H nf ll ( ; curv.i
I.ucorrhtrn nnd iVnihloVniiie" " . A month' " treat
ment , iu plnlu imcknKo , l > y nmll , to nny lul.lre" " , ft
iior IHIX. 0 Ikura fS.VII h every f5m dor wo ulve
Written Cunruntoo to cure or rolund thu money.
ciri'iilm-K free. Guarantee ) Issued only by our e -
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Kl'ltN , < i CO. , SOMJ AeliXT . OMAII \ .
anil you will
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nuvur HO clsc-
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photos , the latest in back
grounds , accessories anil lenses.
Our stylish inphotos are always
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HIGH CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY.
313-315317 So. loti St. , Omata
Tale E'ovntor.
Ittttwecu Farimm and llani'-y.
NEW ERA
SUItUH'.VI , KISI'KNSAKY
CCIIIMU tHttnu Frue ,
IH miBitrp'isso ; ! In the treit-
inuiit uf nil
Chroiiio , PrlvntJ nnil
Norvjus " "isoatoiWrlto
to or consult uuraunally
TIIKATMENT 11 V MAIL.
AiMrfis wllli Hlaiiui , for par-
tluul.trH , wlilul will IM KMt 1 1 iiliiln
1 > . O. Iloxlilj O 111 ei ! 1 ISi. . lull St. . OnuiilNji : ) ,
FERRETS FERHETS
ARE YOY TROUBLED
WITH RATS
orilnydu wish , ] o hunt rabbit *
wholesale'1 If so. KotUKOOd for-
it'tat ' only iM.'A orui > .itr at ifHjs
iTho best rabbit huntcri * and rat
, deslroyers. At
Geisler's ' Bird Store
100 North 10th St. ,
OMAHA , NEll.
A FAIR PRICE PAID FOR GOOD
Dent al
Work
IH never de.ir when done by a competent nmn.
Go to DR. R. W. BAILEY ,
A Kradimti-d diMitlBt "f cxpcrltncu : iiluco
your It-clli In hla care and Ilio will bo coneel-
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lllock. Tulfiiliono 1035 ,
BBRNEY'S
KollovcB Catarrh and Cold
In tha Haul Inotautly by
ono application
euros Hand Nolaeo & .
DEAFNESS.
Clll ( > r vrlM
ISilt Mi.onU Tcmplifbl ir -
A Happy , Fruitful
EVERY MANs
s -v i KNOW the I ) RAND
wJmW \ \ THUTIIH ; the I'luln
I r/WI'trJiA ' MI ) Kncts : Iho Old Sccrctn
nnd the Now Dlicoverlosof Meellrnl Bclcnca
lib applied to Married Llfc.Bhould wrlto for
our wonderful IIHlo lioolc , oftllfxl
" 1'KHFKOT MANHOOD. " To nny eornoiit
man wo will mull ono copy lltHljroly
irrt'i't In plain nealed cover. "A rcniijo
Ironi Ilio < | iincU . " Address
ERIE MEDICAL 00. , Buffalo , NY.
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