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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 25, 1894)
For Boys and Girls. THE LOST OPAL OF MYSORE , OR THE SEOEET OF THE GHAUTS , \\J WlllUm Murr.ir tlrjydnn. ( Copyright. 9I , by Wllllnm Murray CJraydon. ) CHAPTER IV. IN WHICH TUB EXPEDITION STARTS UNDER THRILLING CIRCUMSTANCES. Atyles at once recognized both men and hli heart beat rapidly with fear. The taller of the two was Mogul Mir , a. one-time native officer of a Sepoy regiment , but now a soubadar major of tlie rajah's bodyguard. From force- of custom ho Btlll wore a scarlet shell jacket and braided trousers. Ills twisted black mustache drooped over his mouth like a pair of buffalo horns. He had lost his nose by a sabre stroke from a Ghazl fanatic up In the Punjab , anil thin mutilation lent him a truly satanlc aspect. He vai lifted for cold-blooded cruelty and reckless courage. Ills companion was one of the sentries from the fortress gate and Myles well re membered brushing against him on the way < jjt. ( jjt.For a moment this precious pair of ras- c&Is stood In sllcnco as they peered keenly about them. ' "I can scarce credit your tale. Baboo Sing. " muttered the soudnbar. "It were- past belief bad we- not found the gats opan. " "By Brahma ! I speak true. " answered the. other. "I knew the fellow for the rajah's prisoner when he slipped by me With the young sahibs. I would liavo seized tim | but for the risk. So I crept behind the party and saw them enter the .garden. Then I returned In haste , " "Perdition on the Forlngheo dog ! " growled the suobadar. "Had the escape been known a llttlo sooner ho would never liavo left the fortress. Perchance he Is con cealed In the residency , and It so we shall liavo him. It Is certain that he has given no alarm as yet at the barracks. " "Should ho venture near there our spies will surely slay , him , " replied the soubadar's ' companion. Mogul Mir knit his brows In perplexity lur an Instant. "Itemaln hero , Baboo Sing , while I hasten t6 the palace , " he said. "Pershad Jung and hla highness arc In consultation and I must report to them at once. " ' With till * the soubadar slipped out of the gate , and he had scarcely vanished when the mastiff uttered a municd growl. Uaboo Slug started and then strode rapidly forward. It was a critical moment , for Trl - dott and Jack had thrown their weapons away when they parted from Motce Mai. But Lassa settled the matter by tearing berjr with the cast-off shoes and caps of his companions. He probably knew best , for the soles of his feet were hard ns stone , and ho was proof against the fierce raya of the sun. Now came the most delicate part of the enterprise , and everything depended upon Its success , Myles hoftly led the way to the atablea , which , It will be remembered , lay on one side of the grounds. They were never guarded at night , since Lassa's pres ence In the garden was considered a sufll- clent protection. A careful rcconnolsanco revealed the fact that Jliansl and the three other attendants were asleep In their quarters at the end of the buildings nearest the big gates. All was silent and a couple of lanterns shed a pale light on the scene. Ulddlng his companions wait , Myles entered a room under the sleeping apartments and came out a moment later with a bunch of keys In his hand , " " "the worst Is "All right , he whispered , over. Wo must lead the horses out by the wicket gate. The big gates creak too loudly. This way , now. " Taking a lantern down from the wall he hurried along the narrow court. He stopped within 20 feet of the far end of the stables and listened keenly for an Instant. Then with the buncb of keys he opened two ad joining doors. "Here wo are , " ho whispered. "You won't find these animals much on looks , but they've all made , a record for speed and distance. " On Pink devolved the selection. From the six horses that occupied the two compart ments he quickly chose four a big gray mare for him and two black chargers for Myles and Jack , and for Paltu a rusty little Afghan pony , which Myles declared was equal to the others In speed and endurance. The % steeds passively submitted to saddling and bridling and were led quietly Into the court. Hope , blankets and rations of feed were stuffed Into the saddle bags. Then Myles closed the door and slipped away In the gloom. Ho wa * back a moment later with a pair of spades. "No one Is aivake , " he reported. "I put the keys and the lantern In their places. " "Good. " commented Pink. "We're In luck , sure. The next step is easier. Softly , my bcaiilles , " he added , as he led a pair of the horses forward. Myles and Jack followed with the other two , and their hearts seemed to leap Into their thoats at every crunch of the hoofs on the graveled walk. When the spongy turf was reached nil stopped to listen. Hearing no alarm , they pushed silently on. At a distance of thirty yards from the wicket gate another halt was called by Pink. "I don't want those rascals to see us leave , " Wr fir.v WXj : ) .y 4. THAT MAD RIDE. loose from Myles and spring upon the enemj with a ferocious snarl. Baboo Sing fell for ward , struggling and kicking. He could make no loud outcry , for his windpipe was halt closed by the pressure of the dog's teeth. Pink was on his feet like a flash. "Attend to that fellow , " he cried. "Save 'Is life II you can. I've got other work cut out foi me. " Close by stood a row of potted plants , Foreseeing what would happen. Pink grabbed one of the pots , shook It empty , and qulcklj ensconsed himself against the wall at OIK side of the gate. All this occurred In less time than It takes to- tell , and the next Instant Mogul Mir , hav ing heard the dog's outcry , reappeared at tin gain , drawn sword In hand. Ho was scarcelj Inside when Pink brought the earthen pol down on his head with terrific force. The soubadar fell like a log amid a showei of broken crockery , and bsforo hh stunnei senses could revive Pink bound and gnggec him with his own equipments and dragged him Into a. clump cf shrubbery. Meanwhile the three boys had shown themselves solves equal to the emergency by scp.iratlnf the mastiff and his victim and overpowerins the Utter. Baboo Sing's throat was laceratot In a painful but not serious manner. Luckllj for' the fellow Lassa had been trained t < capture without killing. "Jf you make i sound I'll put the dog on you again , " salt Myles In a atern whisper. This warning was needless , for the pris oner was half suffocated and found it ban work to breaths. Lassa stood silently watch ing him. Just then Pink arrived , full of praise fo the clever work of his companions. Nor ha < the capture of Mogul Mir been unnoticed b ; the lads. In a trice Baboo Sing was , bound nn < gagged and hauled alongside the unconsclau : soubadar. Ills captors mercifully put a band age on his bleeding throat and made sun that the eag was loose enough for frei breathing. "There's two dirty lr.i'tors out of our way,1 muttered Pink , "and 'ere they'll lie til morning. You 'card what they said , la < ) s Pershad Jung is still at the palace , so rlgh now Is our chance. " "I'll have all the supplies here In ten mln utes , " replied Myles , as he drew his com panlons out of earshot of the prisoners , "am then for the horses , which won't bo so easy jhanal and three other Hindoos always sleei at the ( tables. " "So you iupposo they went to the fire ? ' asked Jack. ' No , ndceJ. " assured My ei , "ih'y woulJn1 dare leave the grounds. " "We'll find a way to manage , " saM Pink "go on , UJ , and ba quick. Jack and I wll nltend to the clog ; " Myles and Paltu at once departed on thel errand. It was a fortunate circumstance tha Mylca should have come out by a rear dee When he went In after the key to the wlckc gats early Ir. the evening. The door wa still open , and the boys entered without dla coverIn their shoeless feet they mounte the back staircase. ' Ily this time the fire and Its excltemen were aver and most of the household sei vhhts were asleep. Myles knew every nee and corner ot the big resiliency , and In thre trips he and Paltu brought out a heap c stuff that made Pink's eyes glisten. The a : rortment comvrUed tur 1 ghtweight rtpeatln rifle * , four revolvers , four cartridge belt stuffed with shells for both weapons , tw cells ol hemp' rope , two pain ot blankets an sola Inpees and riding boot * for all of th party. * - "The spttiles are at the stables , " sal llylM. "I can't get anything to eat , UIGUR ! The Idtmutgar I * awake and he bag th storeroom keys. " "You've spt quite enough , " replied F'lnl ' 't couldn't 'ova asked for a better outfl We'll forag * for provisions oo tha way. An now load me up , comrade * . " The articles were distributed and the llttl p rty were soon equipped for the Juurne ; Paltu stubbornly refused to wear clthf li lm t or boots , nutl hid them la tha shrut ae whispered. "Walt 'ere till I go and dras them deeper Into the shrubbery. " He lingered a moment to stuff the spades partly Into the gray mare's saddlebags. Ther 10 turned his two horses over to Myles am ! swiftly vanished. Several minutes passed In profound silence The steeds gently pawed the grass , as thougl Impatient to bo off at a gallop , Lassa prancec around them , wagging his tall. Another minute' and then Pink stalked suddenly out of the darkness. The boys fell Instinctively that his quick return meant bai news. "What's wrong ? " asked Jack. "The prls. oners haven't escaped ? " "But they 'ave , " replied Pink , hoarsely and there ain't a trace to toll 'ow lonf they'vebeen gone. Baboo Sing must 'avi slipped 'Is bonds and untied the soubadar. " Con they bo hiding In the grounds ? " sale Myles. "Not a bit cf It , lad. I'll bet they cm straight for the palace. And as like as nol ' ' back 'ere with bant they've 'ad time to get a of cutthroats. Hut we'll risk It , lads. Quick don't lose a second. " The boys showed no fear In the face o such a. deadly peril. At reckless speed tin horses wore led to the wicket gate and on Icto t' o narrow thoroughfare between ground : and church. "Go back , Lassa , " Myles whispered sternly anil the dog Instantly obeyed. "No alarm yet , " eald Pink , leaping upor the gray mare. "We'll make It. " H s companions mounted as quickly , ant all four turned their steeds toward the iiroai avcnuo on the right. They tacitly chose thl : way In preference to the thlckly-populatet street to the left. Side by side they rod < slowly on , looking and listening for danger. When the avenue was nearly reached Plnl spurred his horse a yard or two In advanci of the others , and turning partly around li the saddle ho held ' 'p a warning hand. "Be ready for a dash , " he whispered. " . ' think I 'ear footsteps coming down tin street. " Pink's ears had not deceived him. At tha very Instant a dark , bulky figure sprani from out the clustered shadows at the corne cf the English church , and , as ho confrotei the party , they Identified the sleek , fat tea tures of Pershad Jung. The recognition was mutual , though th villainous prime minister had the advantag ot being prepared for It. Up went his let hand , clutching the bridle of tha gray man and forcing the animal back on Its haunches With his other band ho lifted a glcamlni tulwar , and aimed a fearful blow at the rider Pink swung himself to the opposite eld with the agility ot a Comanche Indian. In deed , he very nearly went bead first out o the caddie. But the act-sated his life. Luckily for th gray mare's rlhs , the tulwar was Intercepts by the tmndlo of one of the spades that pro truded from the saddlebags. The blade cu deeply Into the hard wood and stuck fast. Pershad Jung wasted a prec'ous momen by trying to extricate the weapon. This wa Pink's opportunity , and he was quick t seize It. He ( straightened up In the saddle whipped a revolver from his belt and slio out his good right arm. With a dull crash Perihad Jung's foreheai and the stock of the pistol came together and the next Instant the prime- minister wa a limp and groaning heap on the ground. . All this occurred In a few brief second * and befqre , , tlie startled boys could reallz that the danger was over they saw the gra mare dash forward and heard Pink's shrll command to "dig spurs. " There was a clatetr and a , whirl of hoof : and the mettlesome EteeiU whizzed by th prostrate body of the would-be assassin. Jus In tlmt , too , for half a score of the rajah' bodyguard , armed to the teeth with st e now arrived tardily on the spot. Of th number was Mogul Mir , wltn a bloodsUlne bindago about his head. But th6 rufflans could only stare In bal fled rage at the receding horsemen. Pui suit wai useless , and they durtd not roui the town by a discharge of firearms. Tli soubadar major clapped ltd hand on hi rlflo and nworo on awful oath ot vengeance "Wo shall meet again , accursed Fcrlnghc dogs , " ho hlssod. "And Brahma Iilmscl shall not save you then. " Meanwhile the fugitives were gallopln down the broad , deserted avenue , past com pounds and gardens , and detached bugalow where English wives and children wer sleeping peacefully , Ignorant of the ton treachery that was rlfo In ths court c Mysore. The horses , having been stabled over long were almost beyond constraint. They pali little heed to bit or bridle. Paltu's wir ; Afghan pony kept well abreast of the oth ers. AH of the party were good riders , bu Pink was more at homo In the saddle thai on his feet , having formerly belonged t a cavalry regiment. "I'll keep this 'ere llttlo memento , " hi exclaimed , as he toro Pershad Jung's tut war loose from the spade handle and thrus It Into'ono of the saddle-bags. "I may 'avi a cliancfc to glvo It back to Its owner will Interest , " The boys shuddered. The true and stcn meaning of the night's adventures was be ginning to dawn upon them. They won dered vaguely what the end of thla thrill Ing exploit would be. "Will they pursue us ? " asked Myles , glanc Ing behind , "Undoubtedly , lad1 Pink replied. "It * 'ard luck that wo should 'avo been discovered because the rajah will see through the whol affair , nnd "e'll 'avo 'Is fleetest 'orsemen nfto us double quick. Wo'va got to beat , them that's all. It's a long race , but we'll com In ahead If wo don't miss the way. One wo reach Tlppoo Sahib's barrier wo cai snap our fingora at a thousand of the ugl ; "eathens. " "What do you mean ? " queried Jack. "You'll know It you llvo long enough,1 responded Pink mysteriously * "Ahl 'ore' the end of the town. Now , which Is th stralghtcst road to tli3 northwesf ? " Myles was fortunately able 1o give the In formation , and the fugitives were "soon rid Ing swiftly along a narrow and level highway Behind them the lights of Mysore twlnklci fainter and fainter. 'To ' right and left th pale moon shone on patches of dense Jungl and fields of wheat , sugar cano and maize. New and then a village was pasaei through , seemingly deserted , .except by th parish dogs that ran out to' snap at th horsemen. "Every nigger between 'ero and the ghant would bo watching for us with matchlock nnd spears If they knew what we were com Ing after , " said Pink , "but we're all rlgh as long as we keep ahead of the rajah's mes sengers. " "Ninety miles Is a stiff stretch for thi horses , " remarked Jack , dubiously. "They're ' good for It , " declartd Myles. "No doubt , lad , " admitted Pink , "but we'n not going to overtax them or ourselves. A the pace wo're making now wo can afford t < snatch an hour or so of sleep about dnyllgli nd forage around for a breakfast. I know we're all hungry , nnd 'ullo ! that moon'a Ir the wrong quarter , surely. 'Ave we blun- lercd ? " Myles frantically pulled up lila horse "We're traveling duo west , " he cried , "Jr that dark bit of Jungle this rlde of the lasl village the road forked , and wo took the wrong turn. It was my fault. " I should hav < known better. " "The spot was a gloomy one , " replied Pink "No ono Is more to blame than another. W < can't cut across country , so 'ere goes for the only remedy. " Ho wheeled his horse around , applied the spur , and led his companions back along the road at a furious gallop. They had blundered at least two miles out of the proper course and as every minute thus lost was of In estimable value the possibly ratal result of th ! mistake was easily foreseen. Not a word was spoken during that mai Tide. Pink's grave and rigid face was In scrutable to his companions and frlghtenec them more than the thought of the danger. The gallant horses were given full rein and after a space of time that seemed houn Instead of minutes they galloped into thi welcome and familiar bolt of Junglo. "Will great difficulty they were checked at thi dimly vhiblo fork of the road. As the dust-covered riders wiped the reek Ing perspiration from their faces with trem ulous hands that which they had drcadci became a reality. In the dlrect'on ' of the vll lage a horde of barking curs woke the echoes The shrill clamor disci away , and was sue ceeded by a more ominous sound that steadll ; grew on the eight air tha dull c'ump ! clump of hones' hoofs' . ( To be Continued. ) A THANKSGIVING'GAME. Children In New York are devising gamete to be played Thanksgiving day. Usually h the gathering together of families there ar a host of young folk who need to entertali themselves. One game that I think Is going to be un usually Interesting Is the escape from prison It requires children who are "up" on gee graph5Btlll If needs be , It Is a lesson In thi disguise of pleasure. The game proceeds after this fashion. i map is held by the Judge , usually a growi person , or an older child ; then two chlldrei are chosen and placed In separate corners. Says the Judge : "Now , Carrie , you rcpre sent New York in this corner , and Richard you arc In Moscow Imprisoned ; you want t get away and reach home by Thanksglvlni day. You have gotten from behind the wall but what Is your dlrecteat route home ? " Then Richard has to tell each sea , coun try and ocean ho crosies to get home for th turkey and cranberry sauce , If he can't d It successfully , he must remain right on th spot In the floor , where he stopped , until h thinks out his escape. Other members of the game are placed I prisons at various parts of the country. Th favorite Jails are now located in China am Japan on account of the Interest in the wai A leading question Is : "If you were put In ; Yokohama prlton , how would you get bad to Pekln ? " Soon the room becomes filled with prisoners all trying to get home ; halt of them ar "stalled" In the center trying to think of th boundary line wlilch brings freedom , other are Just leaving the prison walls. It has the same Interest when gotten we ] Into It as "the southern Children find I : "runaway negro , " or "prisoner's base. " When the game has been played frequently those who Join In get very familiar with th Junction of countries and learn many stralgh lines and clever jumps that had not nppenre feasible before. For those who are not quit conversant with geography , easy tasks ar given ; for Instance , to be placed In. a Parl prison , nnd find their way home to Boston. Some large games arc to bo arranged fo Thanksgiving parties with favors for thos who come out of three prisons successful ! ) CLAIRB CLAXTQN. AlDTCifDAME. The I , < 'saon Itrmbruuill'n nrent 1'ortrnl CiinvoH to Young ( Jlrls. "A fine picture of Elizabeth Jacob Das I the very first gift I give my daughters whe they attain the dignity of occupying rooms c their own , " remarked the mother of a bloom Ing family of girls. "I get a carbon print c Rembrandt's famous portrait ot Jochem Her drlck Swartenhout's widow , and hang I where the light strikes clear across her nobl old : face. , "You see , It' Is never too soon to stai aright , and the only possible way to becom a beautiful old woman Is to begin with beautiful youth , I explain to them Just hoi blttur a struggle advancing years precipitate upon every one ot our sex , that blushes an dimples , silky locks and red lips are cs qulslto possessions' to be valued at their tru worth and treasured In season. But I aU tell them old age IS either the curse or crow of a long life , and It rests w.th them which ! shall be. And for my llttlo home lovely Ellis beth's wrinkled countenance provides a pel feet Illustration , The dear Dutch dame , wh certainly carried the weight of 80 yeai when Rembrandt painted her likeness , muj have lived a fair and Godly life to have cer tered 10 great a charm In her keen , klndl eyes , placid brow and firm , sweet mouth , "The comeliness of youth Is a flexible , di cepllve maique that falls away when tlmi the merciless etcher , draws unerring lines < character upon the human block. It require ft nclf-controU | < resolute nnd courageous spirit to RtanrrrMI withered chin so strongly , warm , unselfish fo'vd ; ot a maternal nature to preserve the tender curve of lips and cheeks , while thojbrbw's sweet serenity and cyo'/i clear gtuwdBtoken a soul at peace with Itself. * "I dwell upon all these points to my daugh ters' ' , and beg that every day they will look well nt the Hutch admiral's wife , mark her exceeding noflllty and register 3G5 vows a year to try tiiulUlrow old' with as goodly a grace ns she mis-nemonstrated. "Why , even her majestic while ruff and bright little muslin cap with Its gauzy wings are eloquent of-fastidious feminine dainties. Elizabeth basfccen dead now some years , but her mission on-earth Is not yet ended. A portrait of her lovely old face should hang where young-girls might study Its benignant beauty and learn the secret of her triumph over lime. " MAUY L. BISLAND. A GALLANT BOY. Ilo\r IMwiiril I'rlnco of Wnlos Wan the Kotirlqnot 'of Illaclc I'rlnco. In the summer of the year 1346 Edward III. crossed the English channel with 30,000 men to Invade France. At Crecy , not far from the Seine , ho was met on the 20th of August by King Vhlllp with 130.000 men. The English army was formed In three lines and occupied a small eminence. After the soldiers had been confessed Edward rode up and down the ranks bidding each soldier fight for St. George and the dragon and "so sweetly and with s'o good countenance and was no ohance of being overheard , Ted un folded hla plan , " 'Why It's a splendid sohemol1 I broke out , presently. "Of course I'll Join you. And look hero , Ted , the old lady hnsn't got any bulldog or anything , and I don't believe she even locks her door nights. Come along now , and let us get together our things. ' "And arm In arm we strolled down the street , maturing our plans as wo went. "Miss Judith Drown or 'Aunt Judy1 ns she was often called , lived In a somewhat dilapi dated little cottage about half a mile down the road. The poor old lady had recently fallen upon evil times. The $100 Income with whloh she had for years managed , to keep body nnd eoul together was -suddenly cut down to one-half that amount. And to make matters yet worse her eyes began to fall her. so that she could no longer add to her small Income by her sewing and fancy work. So altogether matters were looking about as black and gloomy as they well could. "Tho carpet In her llttlo sitting room was very threadbare , the chairs old nnd rickety , and as for the table. It could scarcely sup port the few cracked dishes her frugal meal required her to put upon It. "Occasionally Aunt Judy had a lady visitor , and then with what mortification the poor woman was compelled to set before bar caller chipped cups and saucers and to warn her not to bear too heavily on the chair upon which she was Hitting , only a few of her ac quaintances knew. "Tilly , " she snld one evening to the little girl she kept more for company than any thing else , "Tilly , tomorow when you go down to the grocer's see If lie won't give you HE WAS UNHOUSED. merry cheer did he speak , that nil took cour age on hearing him. " While the Fje'nch were coming on" In great disorder there was a total eclipse of the sun , accompanied by -terrlflc storm-after which the sun came out brightly , shining directly In the faces of the French , but on the backs of the English. The first charge was made by 15,000 Genoese ( bowmen , who came forward with a shout , as tlfbugli to scare the English. The latter , who haU been ordered to He flat on the earth , nowj arose , stepped forward a pace , arjd let.gorthelr arrows so fast that they Sfemed Urn1 minding snow. The Gene ese fled , and the French king ordered them to bo cut down , so that they would not hinder the rest of the army. In the mean time EdwarJ , tjip prince of Wales , who was In command or ono division , was surrounded by French knlglljs , who , recognizing his rank , d > atcrml4e < H7to capture or kill him. A message "was 'Eent to the king telling him that the prince was hard pressed. "Is my son dead or hurt. , or on earth felled ? " he asked. "No , "sir" " was the reply. "Well , then , " said the king , "return to them that sent you and tell them to send no more to me as long as my son Is alive. I com mand them to suffer the child to win his spurs , tor this day should behis. . " The young prince was indeed In great danger. At one time he was unhorsodi and struck to the ground , but one of his loving Welsh knights , who carried the greafdragon stand ard , threw It over him as he lay and stood upon It till the enemy was forced back. Soon as the tide of battle had turned for the English Edward came down from a high hill overlooking the field and took his son In his arms and kissed him. "You are my true son , " he said , -right royally have you acquitted yourself and shown yourself to be a boverelgn. " Young Edward on this occasion wore a suit of black armor , which so contrasted with his crimson and gold surcoat and the. brilliantly fair complexion of his round , boyish face that he was called from that time on the Black Pjlnce. A. 3. THE BLESSED BURGLARS. "My first burglary , " remarked Uncle" Debs suddenly , as Dicky and ho sat on the piazza together , "was committed when I was a boy of 12. "What ! You committed a burglary you , Uncle Bobs ? " cried Dicky In dismay. "Oh , that was a nawful thing to do. " 'Not such a very nawful thing the way -we did It , " said Uncle Bobs calmly. Listen and I'll tell you all about It. " "Teddy Gordon , my school chum , was the swiftest runner In Pokevllle. One Fourth of another soap box. Wo must save tha chairs for our callers. " This evening after the Fourth she was feeling very down-hearted , Indeed. It looked as though she would have to openly appeal to charity , and this she had never been driven to before. It was so bard to da It , so hard. A little after 8 she and Tilly retired to their chamber up under the eaves , and soon they were fast asleep. About 10 o'clock , when all was dark and still , a wagon drove up , and turning out from the road stopped on the other side or Aunt Judy's back yard fence. Here It lay com pletely hidden both from the house and from the street. Three minutes later Ted and I poked out our heads abova the boards , and ) seeing that no one had been disturbed we climbed lightly over and crept , up to the back door. As we expected , It % yes only on the latch , for If there was anything that Aunt Judy had no occasion to fear It was the midnight thief. Once Inside the house we drew down the blinds and lighted our bull's-eye lantern. The old cat looked up at us In surprise from the kitchen hearth , and then , evidently con sidering the Idea of burglars too absurd to entertain for a moment , again dropped off to Bleep. In the kitchen we quietly removed our shoes In true burglar fashion and crept for ward. The scene'of our operations was the sitting room. "Hist ! " whispered Ted , "gently , now. If we are discovered , we are found. " The situation lent the chestnut a fresh pungency. And It was as much as wo could do to keep from bursting Into a roar of laughter. We got our risibilities under control , however , and set to work. Gathering up as many chairs as we could bear off without noise we carried them to the back door. After that we took the table , then with much difficulty we lugged off the rickety old sofa. Next we took a couple of armfuls each of odds and ends , and finally plucking up the threadbare carpets by the roots we bore It off , chuckling to our selves , for we hod completely denuded the room , Pulling on our boots _ we now carried our booty out to the wagon and then well , half an hour later Ted and I were well along the road on our way bock. "Ha ! ha ! ha ! " I roared as soon as we were out of earshot , "that's the greatest lark out. Oh , but won't the old lady be surprised , though ? " Ted was more serious. He evidently felt his responsibility1 as originator and backer of the affair. "I say. Deb , " be whispered , "what do you suppose they'll say If we're found out ? " The only reply I could make was another scream of laughter. When Tilly came down In the mornlnc to * f ' ' m A SURPRISING SIGHT. .Tlllir hA rnntlirnil nn loan than 4n ? In riff * . lean lupn * uu m prizes. Next morning t met him coming down the v road. . , g " 'Hello Teddy , ' said L 'decided what to do with your mor. y yet1 " 'Yes , ' he replied , 'L'nv going Into the bur glar business. ' " 'Ted Gordon , have yon clean gono/ out of your semes ? What on earth do you mean ? ' " 'Exactly wht I say. replied. Ted calmly. 'I've got my eye on an easy house to begin on , and look here , neb , I'm going to take you Into partnership. ' " ' not If I know ' I. 'WeUj It/'iald . my eyes opening wide with amazement at Ted's cool ness. " 'In the first place It's dead wrong , and In the second It's very dangerous. ' " 'Oh , I guess you'll Join ma tn this enter prise all right , ' responded Ted with a smile , Now4 listen. ' Looking cautiously about to see that tbere ugiii mo nro 'uer eyes almost poppeu um 01 her head with amazement. Ae Boon as she had recovered herself she rushed upstairs. On reaching the first flight , ihowever , nhe paufoJ as an Idea entered.her mind , and stood leaning against the bannister. Then with a broad grin , for her decision seemed to amube her greatly , she ran up and burst Into Aunt Judy's room. "Oh , mlsslel mlsslet" she cried , "It's all gone , mlsale , The robbers have tookcn all your furniture. It's all gone , mlssle , even to the carpet and spoons and everything ! " Poor Aunt Judy was a sight to behold. In trembling haste sh threw on her wrapper and hurried down stairs. Pushing open the parlor door the excited old lady received a shock which well nigh took her oft her feat. There before her wai a brand new set of furniture , chain , sofa and table , and the latter spread with a nice whlto tablecloth nd with bright , new knlrei and forks and spoons , and pretty cups and saucers upon It , the llko of which she had n ver expected to- BOB In her llttlo home ngaln. In the center of the room was a nice , large rug , nud stucK up In the corner was A roll of liandsomo carpeting tumclcnt U cover the border of the floor that was yel exposed. With a quick glance the ngtoumleft woman took It all In , and then . ho dropped on her knees and sobbed aloud. Kor some minutes she remained thus , her hc.nl burled In her hands , and then rising , " her face greatly brightened , she said simply , "Make some lea , Tilly ; wo must christen our now teapot. " As Tilly lifted the cover ot that article something green flashed to her eye from the Inside. She shook It out. "Oh , look , mlssJe ! " she cried , "look hero , Money ! See ! Ton , ten and five $25. Oh , mlssle , this Is Just great. The Lord Is good , Isn't ' .he ? " "Yes , child , " replied Aunt Judy nnd then the old pride coming suddenly upon her , she said : "Hut wo'll have to find out who did It and send them back. Wo mustn't keep them , Tilly , U'.s too much like charity. " A llttlo later when the minister was going by she called him In to advlso her. No mat ter what his arguments were , ho had well- nigh persuaded her to accept the gift without question , when Tilly clinched matters. ' "Sides , mlssle , " she said , offering her speech as a , supplement to the minister's , "tho burg lars fiot your furniture , hain't they. Time enough to glvo up the new things when they bring back the old ones. " "I will keep them , " said Aunt Judy , smil ing , and so the thing was settled. "Wore you ever found out , Undo Bobs ? " Inquired Dicky. "Yes , the newspapers got hold of the affair and pretty soon Teddy nnd I were known nil around town as. 'Tho lllessed Burglars. ' But before this happened the minister at Aunt Judy's request had Inserted this llttla Item : IlEWAnn OFFERED. "Any person giving Information concernIng - Ing the burglars who entered the premises of Miss Judith Brown on the night of July F will receive a thousand thanks. As for the burglars themselves. Miss lirown would bo grently pleased to have them call upon her some evening while she Is nwnke to receive the gratitude their kindness and consideration deserves. " SPIDERS ; A I nut Imcct tluit IVonvcs \Vomlorful Uoldtm Web. Among the great web-splnnlng spiders Is the Halaba of Madagascar , Which spins shin ing golden yellow threads strong enough to bear the weight of one of those cork helmets such as travelers wear In warm countries. They have woman's suffrage In the Halaba family , where the female considerably out weighs the males , and Is correspondingly "bossy. " She grows to the quite remarkable length of five and a half Inches , while he , poor fellow , never gets beyond the quite In significant dimensions of an Inch and a half. In consequence , when she. In all the glory of her shining gold culrasa with a silvery down on It , spreads her five red black tipped legs In the midst of her shining golden web , ho has to keep at a respectful distance and seek the seclusion of his club , for > he has no rights In that web which his more mighty spouse Is bound to respect. She Is a very Indus trious spinner , and I have no doubt that the airs of superiority she takes over her bus- band are largely duo to the fact thab ens realizes she Is the breadwinner for the fam ily. She lias been known to spin In a little less than a week 3,291 yards. For over 150 years men have tried to utilize the spider's silk for weaving fabrics with but discouraging success. Lo Don. about the beginning of the last century , succeeded In making gloves of It , and Louis XIV. had a pair of hose madeof the thread. The web of the Halaba and one or two American spiders have led Dr. Wilder of Cornell uni versity to hope that he might still make spider webs commerciallyvaluable. . The thread Is quite as long as that of the silk worm ; one' species In Jamaica spinning a thread some times three miles long , but the chief difficulty lies In obtaining a long thread unbroken. THE FIRST THANKSGIVING. How Hoys nnil Girls Celebrated tlio Hay One Hundred itrul Fifty Yc-iirn AKO , I dare say a good many youngsters of today would think It - ' - a-great'lurk-to exchange places with Plymouth children 150 years ago , be cause on that very first thanksgiving holiday that ever , was In this country there came to town ninety live Indians and their chief , Massoyt , , as they spelled his name then. They stayed for a week as the guests of the white men and they all hunted and fished and smoked and feasted together and had a gen eral Jollification , because the crops had turned out so well. The first public thanksgiving came In 1630 and , oddly enough , on the 22d of February , which years after turned out to be the birth day of the Father of His Country. In No vember of the next year there was another thanksgiving , and one year there were two , but In the next fifty-three years there was but one Thanksgiving In about every two years. It did not always come In November , as It does now , and on a regular day In the month , but skipped around , sometimes being held In January , and sometimes in August , and some times in other months , according to the time when tha colonists thought they had most cause to be thankful for something. Somie- tlmes It was for the- full harvests , and some times It was for rain after a long dry time that they feared would ruin all their crops. In all these early Thanksgiving daya the children were not thought of first and fore most , as they are In a good many houses to- lay. They were expected to k ° ep In the back ground , and the little girls had to help their mothers "keep house , " and after that was kept they had to keep right on being prim and proper to such an extent they didn't al ways have as much fun as their brothers did. The boys used to play wicket on the com mons , and foot l > all all orer the place , so that In 1C57 an ordinance was passed forbid ding the playing of foot ball In the streets an account of the annoyance to foot passen gers. gers.At first there were no dolls for girls to play with , all the funny little dolls that we see now In museums dating back to the times when our "soveralth" great-grandparents were little people , having been brought over Tor the benefit of the mothers , not the llttlo girls. The mothers didn't wish the dolls to play with , but for models for their best dresses , for the dolls , you must know , were Jresscd by the dressmakers and milliners of London and * Paris and sent over hero for rashlon plates and for very many years all the dolls your grcat-great-grandmother and mine had to play with were made of rags. Pretty nice doll babies thcw make , too. "Battledores nnd shuttles , " which the chil dren used to play so much , came over In 17C1 and were advertised for sale , and mar- hies got here In October ten years afterward , BO they must have been played In the house or else with frost-nipped fingers till spring came again. The chlefest of delights of the boys nnd girls of today on Thanksgiving day being taken to u matinee performance at the theaters was unknown on Thanksgiving even "TRAHCE CLAIRVOYANT.1 8 ml 60 oenU.vrltli full * lezand ( ttrnp tnd rttcetrohoroicoj'0 of future Jifo. Mr * . Dr. Moore , trrpay. Ur&a trauca medium , MTeiitli < laUKbtert born with veil < won * ' SECURE R CHABM AMD WEAR DIAMONDS a century ago. There were not t > nlr no matinees , but no theaters , because the Rood Pfoplo of tlioso dnyn had not found out how much entertainment nnd enjoyment Is lo ba had looking on nt plays. Thcro wcro no blocks of houses then , but only scparato and often widely scattered : homos. If there cnmo P big Morm the farmers - " ors had to cot out their lumbering ox wagons Just as they do In the country today , nnd "break out" the roads , only then they had to Uo It where there nro cities now. Sometimes the storms were so heavy the expected visi tors couldn't pet through the snow drills , nnd the Thanksgiving dinner had to bo eaten by th family all alone. Hut the family was generally n big one , nnd If the children didn't have their lookod-for company to play with , they had ench other. In one fnmlly , for example , there were eight llttlo girls , and named what do you think [ experience , Wallstlll , Preserved. Hopestlll , Walt , Thanks , Unite nnd Supply ! Wonder how their brothers nicknamed them. In tlioso earlier day ? you remember thera were no furnaces or steam radiators or stoves , and nil the funmaklns on Thanksgiving day that was done Indoors had to bo done In the great living room , where the huge flrcplaco blazed nnd crackled with Ita great logs and piles of underbrush and the turkey roasted , sizzling on n spit bctoro the nro that burned' you while you looked at It nnd froze your back at the same time. Taken altogether , It's , n good deal easier and Jolly to be n little boy or girl on Thanks giving 1894 than It was In 1619 or for a good many years after that , don't -you thlnlc so , now ? . i ) . g. WHAT IT COST TO DISCOVER AMERICA. When every one Is joining In the national Thanksgiving day and giving praises for pos sessing the benefits of the great 'country wo llvo In , It Is a question of some Interest to know how much money It took ( o discover this land , for the finding of which 00,000,000 of people nro expressing their gratitude , It Is not as colossal a turn as ono would think , especially In comparison with money values of today , tlmt Is , If wo nro to Judge nt all from the Items of Columbus' expedition. It cost only 1 , < 00,000 Spanish mnravodls , which Is about | 7COO according to our pres ent standard. Think of It ! Only two-thirds 'of ' the amount rich men give todaj' as a slmplo legacy. About one-sixth of the president of tha United States' salary nnd less than one- hundredth of what Mr. Vanderbllt pays for ono of 'his ' houses. In the archives preserved In Madrid It la stated that $350 was given to Christopher Co lumbus for his services. He had two captains under him who received $1 ! 5 each , and the sailors got $2.0 a month , besides their ra tions. The rest of the $7GOO covers the cost of ships and flttlngs. It seems rather odd that the deslro for so small a sum on Columbus' part should havq thrown the treasuries of Spain Into such a nutter and caused Isabella , the queen , to liavo been compe'Icd ' to pawn her crown Jewels to raise that amount. "When people road ot all the grandeur of those old-day kingdoms ono naturally thinks of the people spending millions of dollars , but evidently they know ; nothing of luxuries or vast enterprises ns the men living now. There certainly nro ho such Investments In these days as to advnnca $7,500 for millions and millions. I. 1C. DR. HUMPHREYS' SPECIFIC -Fon- Dr. Cyrus EJscn , commissioner ot health for the state and city of New York , lias Bounded th keynote of warning' . Ho saya : "We liave a good [ leal of noitlieaat wind during November nnd , ) . December , nnd the cold , damp wentlier It gener ally brings Is very favorable to the contraction 3t colds and the subsequent development of pneumonia. " Ho farther says "that grip la tha Jlsonso with which pneumonia most readily com- alnes. " Among other things Dr. Ed son recommends Is ivarm woolen clothing next the nkln , wholesome food , moderate exercise and plenty of rest. Protect yourself with "T1 , " Dr. Humphrey's ipccino for colds , grippe. . Influenza , catarrh pains nnd soreness In the head nnd chest , cough , sera throat , general prostration and fever. Taken wuly It cuts It short ) promptly. Taken during Its prevalence. It preoccupies th * system and prevents Its Invasion. Taken uhllo suffering , a relief Is speedily realized , which la continued to nn entire cure. With n vial of these pleasant pellets In your pocket you need not fear the cold , damp weather > r sudden change In the temperature ( euch as 'e are now having ) . A. few ilcrea of " 77" will : heck the llrat symptoms of fever or cold , and itn continued une will complete the cure. It IB such n comfort and relief to know that ivhen you leave your wife Buffering with n cold , when your husband BOOS tn bualnrsa not feeling well , and , above all , when your child trudges' > rt tn school , that each carrleu a real protector in " 77. " A cold token In the fall Is most dangerous : 1C lot prevented or cured a miserable winter fot- o\vs. Neglected colds lead to grippe , catarrh , jroncliltts nnd ( sometimes pneumonia and con- mmptlon , " 77" will "break up" a stubborn cold that "hangs on. " BE SURE TO GET A small bottle of pleasant pellets fits your rest pocket , bold by drugglKts , or Bent on re ceipt of price , 25o , D for II. HUMl-HUHY'S MED- GINK CO. , Cor. William and John Strceta , New1 iTork. ( llTiOlOl lifO0- ! ] | RplondM curetlronfrent for Kervousor Headache , Drain Kxhawtion , Hleenlew l > oolal or aenerAk NeurnliiiufuliM ) for/ < matIsra , Gout , Kidney Dlnordflr * , Aclu + , fn- iwpatn. Anramfa. Antfclote for -AlcchdJo and othereicewoa. I'rlcx } , ! ! ) , UaadwClcC. THE ARNOLD CHEMICAL CO. 161 S.Weslorn Avenue , CIIICAUO. For sale by all druggists , Omaha. 18 KARAT LADIES'OR GENT'S SIZE , CUTTIIISOUTnndaonantOM ' with your immo mid address cud we wllloendyou thti watch by ex- 1 prejwfor examination. AUuar- nntcn for O Voiirn nnd chain and charm dent with it. You ejctimlnoltiina If youtblnk H a tmrealn nay oursampla price , 12.60 , and ftlayoura. li Is beau -i tifully engrnvcd and watrautod - tbe tw l tlmo-kcL'j r In tba World for tha money and equal In apneorancfl to o guriulnebolld OolU Watch. Wrlta to-day , tUli offer vr III not appear again , ' < / < EASTLAKE MFG , CO. , Corner A Jams and Slats St j ] CHICAGO , ILU EN A A NEW LINK GUFF EXACT SIZE PERFECT ! 3 TUB HERGANIILE IS THE FAVORITE TEH CENT CIGAR , For sulo by all First Class Dealers. Manufactured by tha F. R. niCEMERCANTILE CIGAR CO. . Factory No , 304 , St. LouIaM < y
