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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 1894)
18 THE OMA1IA DAILY , DECEMBER 0 , 1804. For Boys and Girls. THE LOST OPAL OF MYSORE oa TUB EEORET OF THE GHAUT3 , llr Wllllnni Alurrnr Umyilnn. ( Copyright , 1831 , 1 > y the Author. ) CHAPTER VI. "WillCH TKBAT8 OF TldEnS , UUUTn AND HUMAN. " The Hindoo's warning slicut cleared up the Bcemlng myntcry , and accounted for all ot the llttlj community being In doors at. so comparatively early an hour of the night. Doubtless ono cr more man-oatlnK tigers had been terrorizing tlio village of late , and were at this very tlms within tlie walls. So the visitors surmised as they recalled the gruesome monument of stone and bam boo back In the forest , and they little liked tha prospect cf being shut in between two perils. "Looks as though we'd 'avc to give pro tection Instead ot claim It , " muttered Pink , throwing himself out of the saddle. "I've 'card of Ugera putting a 'ole town at their wits end , but I never saw It bet re. The first thing li to shut the gate against the rajah's cutthroats. We're safer Inside than out , and If it comes to a siege , I've got my flghtlng temper on , Rides ready , thor * . lads , In case the man-eaters take a notion for white meat " Just then a low angry snarl drew attention to a pair of huge animals crcuchlng In the stroH about thirty feet away. They were the man-catlng tigers. With gleaming eyes and madly-oscillating tails they crept closer. The horses snorted with terror. The gray mara Jerked loose from Pink , and went out the open gate llko a streak. Jack's charger simply sto.il still , trembling like a leaf. Pink's first act was to hurl the torch at the man-eater , and so sure was hU aim that the blazing brand struck within a foot of the brutes and drove them back Into the gloom , roaring savagely. Ho then banged the gate shut , and dropped a heavy Iron bar Into the sockets on each side. Iy ) tills time Jack was on his feet , holding fast to his frightened horeo. Mylcs and Paltu were not hurt by the fall , and for tunately the runaway steed had not taken their weapons along. The village wai In an uproar. From the "CROUCHED A HUQB TIGER. " unseen occupants of every hut came shrll cries and supplications. The tcrch now having faded to a men spark , one of the tigers suddenly reappeared It was plainly rabid with lust for liumni flesh ; nor was It an aged animal , as man caters mostly are. A light spring landed It within ntteei feet of the party , and there It crouched fo a final leap , quivering from head to tall. At this critical moment Myles had courag * tO lift his rlllo and flro. At thD sharp report ( port the tiger rose In the air with a fright ful roar , and fell , mortally wounded , with ! ] six feet of the lad. As Mylea Jumped hastily cut of the wo ; Pink's rlflo cracked twice , and tha man eater rolled Over dead. There was no time to exult at the victory for a second tiger was yet at large. It whereabouts was Just then made known b ; a weird , unearthly scream of agony from th far end of the village street. "What's that ? " cried Jack , with a shuddei "The beast 'as grabbed the 'orseshoute Pink , running fearlessly In the direction c the sound. "Stay 'ere , lads. " It was scarcely three minutes later whe he returned. "Two 'orses gone now , " ho growled .bltterlj "The man-eater knocked the charger ovei right In front of the rrar gate whlc 'appened to bo open and then 'e dragged th body outside. It was no use- going after 'in so I shut and barred the gate , and 'urrle , back. But there's one dangsr the less , lad ! and now for the troopers. 'Ow near ar they ? " "I don't believe they're near at all , " sal Jack , and , strange to sayhe seemed' to t right. Drlef as was the time that had elapse since the fugitives entered the village. It wj yet long enough .for their bloodthirsty pui suers to have arrived. Perhaps their torch ! had failed them , or they' had halted c hearing the ride shots. For possibly half a minute Pink and h companions listened In vain for the clatU ot hoofs on tli ? forest road. Then tt alienee Was turned Into a deafening hubbu by the-sutlden Irruption from their bouses i the entire community. The death of ono tiger and the flight < the othir bad spread llko wildfire , and me : women and children crowded about tl strangers with heartfelt protestations > gratitude. It appeared , from their Incoherent storlc that the man-eattrs had kept them in a Eta ot terror for the past two months , and 1 that time had claimed twenty victims. C this occasion a gate carelessly left open h : allowed the animals to enter the walls. Pink struck while the Iron was hot ; th : Is , he promptly singled out tlio head man the village , gave him a partly true accoui ot the situation , and claimed protection f himself and party. The village really belonged to the sate Coorg , and for this reason the head mi was the more willing to accedeto Pink's d mand. He at once spread \\ord around that "II white sahibs , who slay man-tatcrs , " were danger from mutinous troopers of the raj : of Mysore , and It was greatly cheering the fugitives to see how readily and glad the fierce , half-naked Hindoos ran for the spears and swords and antiquated old mate locks. "This Is luck and no mistake , " said Pin "We'll stay 'ere till morning and then strll for the ghauts. We'll 'avo to go on too though. The 'eadman says there ain't 'orse to bo 'ad or an elephant either. Jack charger won't do for four , and we'll bo Ju as well off without It. " "Hut can wo spend the night here safely asked Myles. "I don't mean that there any danger of the village being taken 1 storm , but the troopers may ride around and get to the ghauts before us , " "They can't , lad. " Pink replied. "Tl only road toward the mountains Is straig through this 'era village. To right and U the Jungle Is BO thick that a man can 'ard Blip through let alone a 'orso. So tl 'eadman nay , and I take Mm to bo a tr talker. " "Then we ought to feel safe enough , " r marked Jack. "It's not likely the troope will abandon their horses and take to t Jungle 011 foot. Hut there's sure to be ser stirring times when they arrive. " "I doubt It they are coming , " exclaim Myles. "It looks mighty queer " " 'Ello , vthat'B that ? " Interrupted Pin 'Ark. lads ! " Clear on the night air , above the scurry ! ) feet and shrill voices ot the natives , rang t dull pounding ot hoofs. Over the top ot t archoj gate uhono the glimmer ot approac Intr torches. An Instant later the flashing lights va ished , the clutter ot hoofj vas stilled ai the hoarse notes ot a cavalry trumpet peal loudly before the gate. "Open ! openl" cried an angry TO Ice , a : the command was emphasized by a thunder ous knock on the stout tenkwood planks. There was no answer from within. Hastily the women and children ran to the shelter of the huts , while the men three score In number huddled close to the loopholes In wall and p.ite. Pink secured one ot these points ot vantage anil reported events to his companions , who were at his elbow. " 'lire the cutthroats are , " he whispered. "I can't tell 'o\v many , because they've thrown their torches away on purpose. I've 'alt a mind to drop the Icadar. I could do It cnsy now. There's a bit of moonlight shines right down on 'Is face , and by Jove ! lads. If It ain't Mogul Mir. " This discovery gave the boys an unpleasant shock , and even Pink felt something llko a chill run down his spinal column , as lie realized the desperate character of the rulHan who commanded the troopers. Ho might have been tempted to Ore but for the intervention ot the headman , who now mountcJ a platform at one end of the gats and coolly demanded of the Intruders what they wanted. "In the name of the rajah of Mysore wo demand tlto Ferlnghee dogs who have taken shelter within your walls , " replied Mogul Mir , thus openly avowing his purpose. "Hut they are sacred to us , " answered the headman evasively. " 'This very night have they rid us ot twomaneating timers who long feasted on our people. It Is the will of Urahma that wo protect them In turn. " "Dog ot a llarl" thundered the enraged soubatlar. . "know you not that Brahma punishes with loss of caste alt those who conbort with heretics ? Yield us the Ferlng- hrcs or not one stone of your village shall b : left standing on another. " "You shall not have them , " was the d3- flant reply. "They are safe here. Depart whence yo came , sons of burnt fathers. Think you that v o men ot Coorg trcmblj at the threats of Eurh Wintering dogs ? Hah ! " With this the headman dropped nimbly to ho ground , and by so dslng he narrowly scaped n ball from Mogul Mlr's pistol , fired flth deadly intent. So treacherous a dcd stirred the villagers o fury , and as many of them 03 had match- ocks deliberately blazed away through the oonholos. Others hurled spears over the rail and shouted Insulting names. It may bo Imagined that ths antiquated rearms were cf little account , since the nan-caters had deflcd them for two whole months. Yet cither a slug or a spear cer- n'nly found a billet across the wall , A loud cry waa heard , fallowed by a crash- ng noUo and the clatter of a runaway steed. V rifle volley was instantly fired by waj f reprisal , lytt it did no more damaga thane o rip splinters from the top of the gate. Then an unexpected thing happened. The trumpet sounded the retreat , and th3 troop- rs wheeled their horses around and spurred .way. Evidently they were discomfited by 10 stubborn a resistance. Pink once m re glued his eyes to the lopp- tie and watched steadily for several min utes. "They're campoJ about fifty yards dowr ho road , " he finally announced. "They're iulldlng fires to scare off the wild animals. ' "Can you see who was hurt " asked Myles "No , It's too far away , " replied Pink. " 1 'jcpe Mogul Mir 'as kicked the bucket , hough. " These tactics of the enemy wcro hard tt understand. Had they some deep motive It waiting , or were they merely planning tbi next move ? . The villagers wanted ta open the gate anc make an attack , but their more senslbh leader managed to dissuade them. Truttf ti ell they were a villainous , and slnlster-loMc ng set of ruffians * and well borj out tin vll reputation ot the natives of Coorg. PlnV and his party were well satisfied ta havi iuch valiant protectcra , even though thej tcocl a little In fear ot them. At the end of an hour the situation was unchanged. The troopers could still be dlmlj cccn gathered about their campfircs on tin edge cf the forest. ' Then the monotony was broken by a start ing tncldint. Frcm the far side of the vll iage came a human cry of agony loud am jlood-curdling. Not a sound preceded or fol oued it. "That must be looked Into , " cxclalmet Mnk. "Who'a g Ing with me ? " The boys , worn the first to offer , and thei ho headman and three or four others volun .eered. They hastened in a body to- the em of the narrow street , and cautiously mountei he platf'rin en each side ot the rear gat : . H was a thrilling scene that met thet eyes. On th ; moonlit road ouUldo the wal crouched a huge tiger in the body of a mai whose uniform stamped him as one of th rajah's troopers. Close by lay the torn car cass of Myles' black charger. Bcforo a shot could bo flrad the tiger seize * his human victim In his m uth and boundei Ightly into the Jungle with a roar ot de fiance. Pursuit would have been useless am hazardous , for the man was probably dead. "Any more of tlio spies about , eh ? " mut tered Pink , posrlng- right and left 'I d.n't think so , ' . ; replied Jack. "Th fellow was alone. " "Ho must have worked around through the Jungla to discover If the village wa equally well protected on this side , " sat Mylcs. , "And walked right Into the Jaws of th man-eater , who 'appened to prefer ' 1m t "orseficBh , " added Pink , with a graphic ges ture. "Servzs the bloody 'eathen right , to : Mogul Mir won't send another spy in 'urry. We're safer than ever , lads. " The Inactivity of the troopers now appcare In n plainer light. No doubt they wer waiting for their absent companion to re turn. In splto ot protest Pink opened the gat and slipped out. Ho fok the two cells crepe rope from the saddle bags of the dead liora and as soon as ho returned the gate wa closed and barred. "Wo 'ad to 'ave this , " ho said. "Wo wan burden ourselves with the othsr stuff. Tli gray mare carried off Oie spades , but w can easily get t\\o more from the villagers. " "Aro we going to start now ? " asked Mylei "Not till nar daylight , " Pink respondei "Wo're going to 'ave a ffod sleep If tli 'eadman can provide quarters. " On being consulted ths headman declare that he could , and ho furthermore assure his guests that they might rest in perfe < safety f r as lone a tlmo as suited the convenience. The party first returned to tto other gat Vhcre Pink made sure by a personal Inapei tton that the. troopers were still blvouackln by their camp flres. Then he and his companions wcrj led I an empty hut near the center of the villas They dropped wearily on the rude charpoj cf straw , and were soon stopping as sound ; as though n ) bloodthirsty fees were near. After what seemed but a brief time Jac and Myloa were nw aliened by tin sound i voices. They sat up , stupidly rubbing the eyes. Paltu was already en his feet. In tl doorway stood Pink and the headman , ei gaged in carneit c nversatlon. The latti had a torch In his hand. "What's wrong ? " cried Jack. Pink turned quickly to the boys , showlr a very troubled fa.ce. "Stir yourselves , " he said. "We've got start right away. What do you thlnlc 'i 'appcncU ? Tlioo sneaking cutthroats ci yonder wen waiting on reinforcements , wl must 'ave left Mysre a taw hours late The 'eadman says about twenty more tree ers arrived Just now. " The boys turned pale at- this startlln piece of rows. They were amazed to leai that they hid slept until nearly daylight. Pink went on to explain that an attac was shortly expected , and that the vlllif could not long hold out against so large force. "Tho 'eadman says 'e and 'la people wl parley as long as they can , " Pink addei "and then they'll 'are to let the troop i In or luffer for It In the end. So we'd be tcr leave at once. " "Ot course , " replied Mylei , "we don want these poor Hindoos to be massacre for protecting us. " "But won't the troopers be at our hee In a short lima ? " Jack questioned onxlousl "That depends on what sort ot a ata wo get , " replied Pink. "The 'eadman tel me a bit of a secret Just now , but thli aln the- time to repeat it. Come , lads. " No demonstration bad yet been made t the besiegers when Pink and the boys galm the rear gate. The headman and a dene villagers accompanied them that tar. Tt former gave Pink two light spades and a bag of provisions. Then the gate was unbarred and the fugitives slipped out. After a brief recon- nolssance they waved farewell to their gen erous protectors , and hastened forward Into the gloomy and narrow road. Before they had gone half a mile the gray , inlity dawn broke. They were In good marching order , having shared the equip ments equally , and for more than on hour they traveled steadily and fa t. Behind them the solitudes of the great forest : choed to Ho more- terrifying sounds than the chatter of monkeys and parrots. The road showed traces of ancient usage , and Mylps expressed the opinion that It had been made hundreds of years ago. "I believe It. lad , " said Pink , "and likely It leads to the very place we're bound for now. " This seemed all the more probable when a ijrlcf view of the twin mountain peaks \yas had straight ahead from the crest of a ridge. "They dort't look far. " exclaimed Jack. 'Tho dlstanca Is about seventeen miles , " Pink answered , "for the village is three miles behind. If all goes welt we ought to reach our dcztlnitlon about the middle of the afternoon. " Down the rugged elope the little party hastened with light hearts and feet. From ahead now grew a dull , roaring sound , and presently the rood ended on the brink of a Rorge , which was fifty feet across and about Uventy-fivo In depth. Through Its stony bed brawled a foamIng - Ing torrent , and from mid-channel a pier of masonry with a fragment of an arch attached thereto reared Itself. The abyss was now- spanned by a native bridge. To a tres on each bank was screwed a cable nearly a foot In diameter , made of twisted vines. A little higher up wcra two handrails ot the same material. It was a rude and perilous looking con trivance. "Is this your secret. Pink ? " asked Jack. "That's It , lad , " waa the reply. "There was an ancient bridge 'ere until a few weeks ago , when the floods washed It away. But the troopers don't know that. They'll 'ave to go three miles down stream to a fording plac. . ' . Yonder , on the right , you can see where a sort of bridle path branches off. It's been made by mounted travelers since the bridge was carried away. " "It'3 wide enough for horses , then ? " asked Myles. "Yes , In single file. And before long It will bo trodden by Mogul Mlr's troopers. Wo 'avo no tlmo to waste , so come on. " The swaying bridge proved to be stronger than It looked , and one by one the fugitives crossed safely to the other side. Then Pink drew his knife and severed the two hand supports. "Now the ruffians are sure to go around by the ford , " he mattered as he led the way forward. "They might 'avc taken a notion to pursue us on fcot. " "And wouldn't that give us the better chance of keeping- ahead ot them ? " said Myles. "I don't believe It , lad , " Pink answered. "The rest of the road Is likely to ba so rough that a 'orso can't travel any faster than a man. " Herein Pink erred , as the future was destined to prove. But he was correct sc far as related to t&e ruggedness of tin : path. It led In zigzag fashion up ami down the endless and lateral spurs thuc formed the foothills of the ghauts ; It wound through dense Jungle and forest , where the trees were festooned with creepers of brilliant red and blue blossoms ; It was obstructed by recks ot all sizes , and by tough outcropping roots. Thus It happened that noon found the fugitives only half way to their destination. In the shadow of o great mountain peak they sat down for a short rest and a snatch cf food. A few feet ahead tha road they had been pursuing was creased at right angles" by an other ancient path. The latter was very narrow and Its growth of tangled vegetation showed that no traveler had passed over II for months. Just as Pink opened the bag of provisions n faint sound was borne from the rear. All &tarted up In alarm. "That was the clatter of hoofs , " cried Jnclr. "The troopers must be spurring thelt horses like mad. " "Hurry. " Myles shouted , "we must gel out of this. " "Yes , " muttered Pfnlr , "It means a 'ol chase , and there's no telling stop , lads , " he added , in n hoarse whisper. "Drop flat ant keep out of sight. I 'ear some one coinlnj down the cross road. " ( To be continued. ) MR. TIIIMBLEFI&GER AND IHS.QUEEH COUNTRY. Uy Joel Chinillcr HtrrU. ( Copyrighted J39I. ) PART II , THERE THE THUNDER LIVES. Mrs. Meadows , Mr. Rabbit , Chlckam ; Crany Crow and Tickle-My-Toes were ver ; glad to see the children , especially Mrs Meadows , who did everything- could t make the youngsters feel that they had con ferred a great obligation on her by comln back again. "I'll be bound you forgot to bring ins th apple I told you about , " said she. But Sweetest Susan had not forgetter She had one in her pocket. It was not ver large , but the sun had painted It red an yellow , and the north winds that kissed I had left It fragrant with the perfume c summer. "Now , I declare , " exclaimed Mrs. Meadow ! "To think you should remember an ol woman. You are Just as good and as nic as you can be ! " Mrs. Meador.-s Jhanke Sweetest Susan so heartily that Buster Joh began to look and feel uncomfortable see Ing which , Mrs. Meadows placed her han gently on his shouldir. "Never mind , said she , "boys are not expected to be a thoughtful as girls. The next time yo COULD HAIlDLiY LIFT IT. 13y. come you may bring me a hatful It you ci y.rt manage to think about It. " 1(5 "He might start \vlJ 'em/ ' remarked Dr I't Bllla. "but 'to' he got here he'd set down a eat 'cm all up ter keep from stumpln' t toe an' iptllln' 'em. " Duster John had a reply ready , but ! did not make any , for just at that momc a low rumbling sound waa heard. It seem o come nearortoiid grow louder , and then It led away itucthc .distance. "What Is ) iaty aikeil Mr. Meadows , In n Itnpresslvq .whisper. "Thunder"imm Mr. Itnbblt , who hail stoned Intently ) i "Thunder , as sure as ou're born.'jc ) , < "Yes/ " BaluMr Thtmbcflnrir. "I saw a loud coming .up next door just before we amo throughi the- spring gate. " "I must be Kftllng nervous In my old age , " omarkeil Mrs. . Meadows. "t had no Idea tt wai too. Iqte In the siason for limn er storms. " That mayi be so , " replied Mr. Thimble- nger , "but jt'n. never too late for old man bunder to rpat out on his front porch and > cgln to cut jin his capers. IJnt there's no arm In him. " "But the lightning kills people somt- mcs. " ' said Duster John. "The lightning ? Oh. yes , but I was talk- ng about old man Thurtdcr , " replied Mr. hlmblellnger. "When I wa a boy , I once eard ot a little girl " Mn Thlmbleflnger uddcnly put his hand over his mouth and ung his head as It he had been caught olng something wrong. "Why. what In the world Is the matter ? " skcd Mrs. Meadows. "Oh , nothing , " replied Mr. Thlmbleflngcr. I simply forgot my manners. " "I don't see how , " remarked Mr. . Rabbit , rownlnp. "Why , I was about to tell a story before had been naked. " "Well , you wort't disturb me by telling n tory. I'm sure , " salil Mr. Rabbit. 'T caned od just as well when some one Is talking s when everything Isstill. . You won't raster me at all. Just go ahtad. " "Maybe It Isift ttory telling time , " sug- estcd Mrs. Meadows. " ' " cried Sweetest Susan. "Oh , don't say that , If It's a story , please tell It. " "Well , It's nothing but a plain , every-day tory. After you hear It you'll lean back In 'our chair and wonder why somebody didn't akc hold of It nnd twist It Into a real , old ashioned tale. H'a oU fashioned enough , lie way I heard It , but I always thought m the person who heard It first must have orgotten parts of It. " "We won't mind that , " said Sweetest tijnn. Mr. Thlmbleflnger settled himself comfort- bly and beganr "Once upon a time I don't know how long go , but not very long , for the tale was now o me when I first heard It. Once upon a line there was a little girl about your age nd size who was curious to know some- hlng , about everything that happened. She vanted to know how a bird could fly and vhy the clouds floated , and she was all the Ime trying to get at the bottom of things. "Well , one day when thS sky was covered nb ut U. 'Who knocked at the door ? ' It cried. "Its volco sounded so loud that the llttlo girl put her fingers In her tars. " 'Don't talk BO loud , please , ' she said , I'm net deaf. ' " 'Oh ! ' cried the giant at the door. 'You arc there , are you ? Ytu are so smalt I didn't sea you at first. Coma Inl' "The little girl started to go In. and then paused. 'Are you the Thunder ? ' she asked. " 'Why , of course/ was the reply , 'who else did you think It was ? ' " 'I didn't know/ said the little girl. I wanted to bo certain about It. ' " 'Come In/ said the Thunder. 'It Isn't often I have company from the people below , and I'm glad you found me at home/ "Tho Thunder led the way down the hall and Into a wide sitting room , whcro a fire vtas burning brightly In the biggest llre- placa the little girl had ever seen. A two- horse wagon could turn around In It without touching ; the andirons. A pair ot tqngs as tall as a man stood In one corner , and In the other was a shovel to match. A long pipe lay on the mantel. " 'There's no place for you to sit except on the floor/ said the Thunder. " 'I can sit on the bed here/ suggested the little girl. "The Thunder laughed so loudly that the little girl had to close her ears again. 'Why , that Is no bed/ the Thunder said when It oould catch Us breath ; 'that's my footstool/ " 'Well/ said the little girl , 'it's big enough for a bed. It's very soft and nice/ " 'I llnd It very comfortable/ said the Thunder , 'especially when I get home after piloting , a tornado through the country. It Is tough work as sure as you are born/ "The Thunder took the long pipe from ths mantel and lit It with a pine spllrtter , the flame of which Hashed through the windows with dazzling brightness. " 'Folks will say that Is heat lightning/ remarked the little girl. " 'Yes , replied the Thunder ; 'farmers to the north ot us will say there Is going to b ? a drouth , because of lightning In the south. Farmers to the south of us will say there's going to bo rain , because of lightning In the north. None ot them knows that I am smoking my pipe. ' "Hut somehow In turning around the Thunder knocked the big tongs over , and they fell upoa the floor with a tremendous crash. The blow Itself appeared to give forth n sound llko a drum , only a thousand times louder , and .although the little girl had her lingers In her ears , she could hear the echoes roused under the house by the falling- tongs go rattling and rolling down the mountain side and * out Into the valley beyond. The Thunder sat In the big armchair "I CAN SIT ON THE BED HEUC. " vllh clouds the thunder came rolling along , cnocking at everybody's door and running a racs with the noise It made , the little girl Istened and wondered what the thunder was md where It went to. It wasn't long before .he thunder came rumbling along again , mak- ng a noise like a four-horse wagon running away on a covered bridge. "While the little girl was standing there wondering and listening an old man with a junille on his back and a stout staff in his .land came along the road. He bowed and smiled when he saw the little girl , but as she didn't return the bow or the smile , being LOO much Interested In listening for the thunder , he paused and asked her what the trouble ttas. " 'I hop ? you are not lost ? ' he said. " 'Oh. no , sir/ she replied , 'I was listening for the thunder and \vonderlng where It goes/ " 'Well , as vou seem to be a very good little girl/ the old man said , 'I don't mind telling you. The thunder lives on top of yonder mountain. It is not so far away. " " 'Oh , I should like ever to much to go there/ exclaimed the llttlo girl. " 'Why not ? ' said the old man. 'The mountain is on my road , and If you say the word we'll go together/ "Tho little plrl took the old man's hand and they Journeyed toward the mountain where the thunder had his home. The way was long , but somehow they seemed to go very fast. The old man took long strides forward , and hs vyas strong enough to lift the little girl at every step , to that when they reached the foot of the mountain she was not very tired. "But as the mountain was very steep and high the Wo travelers stopped to rest them selves before they began to climb It. Its sides seemed to be rough and dark , but far up on the topmost peak the clouds had gath ered , anJ from these the lightning flashed In cessantly. The llttlo girl saw the flashes and asked what they meant. " 'Wherever the Thunder lives/ replied the i Id man , "there the lightning builds Its nest. No doubt the wind has blown the clouds about and torn them apart and scattered them. The lightning Is piling them together again and fixing a warm , Kit place to sleep tonight/ ' "When they had rested tor a while the old man said It was time to bo going , and then ho made the little girl climb en bis back. At first nho didn't want the old man to carry her , but he declared that she would do him a great favor by climbing on his back and holding his bundle In place. So she sat upon the bundles , and In this way they wont up ths high mountain , going almost as rapidly as the little girl could run on level grtund. She enjoyed It very much , for , although the old man went swiftly , he , Avcnt smoothly , and the little girl felt ds snro and as comfortable as li she had been sitting In a rcKtng chair. "When the/ had come nearly to the top ol the mountain the < ld man stopped and lifted the little girl from his back. 'I can go no fartherho ald. 'Ths rest ot the way you will have'to go alone. There la nothing to fear. Up tlfo mountain yonder yon can see the g ble it the Thunder's house. Go to the doer , knock , and do not be alarmed at any noise you hear. When the time cornea for you1 to go you will find me await ing y.u here5 "The little1 girl hesitated , but she had come so far to 8B3 where the Thunder lived that she would hot t'urn back now. So she went forward and < obn came to the door of Mr. Thunder's h us'6. It was a very big dcor to a very.blB house. The knocker was so heavy that thrf Ilttls girl could hardly lift It , and when she 1ft it tall against the panel , the nolso It made Jarred the building and uent a ) oud echo rolling and tumbling down the mountain. The little girl thought , 'What have I done ? If the Thunder la taking a nap beftre dinner , he'll be very angry. " "She waited a little while , n't feeling very comfortable. Presently ahe heard heavy footsteps earning down the wide hall to the door. " 'I thought I heard someone knocking said a hcario , gruff vrlce. Then tha Mg dooi flew open and there , standing before her , the little girl saw a huge figure that towered 'almost to the top of the- high door. It wore heavy boots , * a big cverotat , and under Its long , thick beard there was a muffler o yard wide. The llttla girl wa * very mud frightened at first , but she soon remem bered that there was nothing for such a llttlo b'.t of a girl ta be afraid ot. "The figure that teemed to be so terrible at first glance had nothing throatlnj smoking and listening with legs crossed. Th& little girl appeared to be terry that she had come. " 'Now , that Is too bad , ' said the Thunder. 'The whlrlwInijUttff the south will hear that and come lly vif : the west wind will hear It and come rlishlng ; and they will drag the clouds after them , thinking that I am ready to take my rldeX But It's all my fault. In stead of turningthe. . winds In the pasture , I ought to have put them In the stable. Here they come now ! ' "The little girl listened , and , sure enough , the Whirlwinds from the South nnd the West came rushing around the house of the Thunder. The West Wind screamed around the windows nnd the Whirlwinds from the South whistled through the cracks and key holes. " 'I guess I'll have to go with them/ said the Thunder , rising from the chair and walking around the room. 'It'a the only way to quiet them/ " 'Do you always wear your overcoat ? ' the llttlo girl asked. " 'Always/ replied the Thunder. There's no telling what moment I'll be called. Some times I go out for n frolic and sometimes I am obliged to go. Will you stay until I return ? ' " 'Oh , no/ the little girl replied ; 'the house Is too large. I should be afraid to stay here alcne/ alcne'I " 'I am sorry/ said the Thunder. 'Come and see me get In my carriage/ "They went to the door. The Whlrlwlndf from the South and the Winds from the West had drawn the Clouds to the steps , and into these the Thunder climbed. " 'Goodbyhe cried to the little girl 'Stay where you are until we are out ol sight/ "There was a flash of light , a snapplnt sound , a rattling crash and the Thunder with the clouds for his carriage and thi winds for his horses , went roaming ant rumbling through the sky , over the hills anc valleys/ Mr. Thtmbleflngcr paused and looked at thi children. They , expecting him to go on , sale nothing. ' . 'How do you llko my story ? " he asked. "Is It a story ? " Inquired Buster John. "Well , call it a tale , " said Mr. Thimble finger. "Hit's too high up In the elements for te : suit me. " said Drusllla , candidly. "What became of the little girl ? " askci Sweetest Susan. "When the Thunder rolled away , " sale Mr. Thlmbleflnger , "she went back to when the old man was watting for her , and ho having nothing else to do , carried her to thi Jumplng-Off Place. " ( To bo continued. ) AN AJA > W UK HO. Colonel Howie , After Whom the Ilowli Knl to Win Nnineil. . It Is a safe wager tfiat nine out of ever ] eleven boys who arc proficient In the use 01 a bowla knife have not the slightest Idea where the Instrument got Its name. Colonel Bowie ot Texas fame gave the knife its tltic. And when one writes of the Texas hero one must needs think ot the battle of Alamo that heroic fight of which our Amerlczr boys and girls seem to think so little , am halt of them know nothing whatever. They read how the brave eoldiers fought and held the- pass of Thermopylae , but the ; seldom think of how a mere handful of mcr defended the Alamo mission. How tliej dropped fighting on their knees , and thcr died facing the foe. It you should go to the historical city o San Antonio In Texas you will see the old mission building standing with battered bullet-pierced walls , a monument to tin 172 heroes ot 1830. Behind these walls thi most Important battle In the war betweer Mexico and Texas was fought. That wai when Santa Ana was president , and thi Texans were fighting for their Independence Hero It was that Colonel Bowie ended hli brave life , dying with his boots on and fight Ing under the most terrible odds. The storj la this , and every American child shouli know It by heart , that he may tell It wltt pride when other nations are talking of theli great deeds : Ono hundred and forty-five men undei Captain Travis , a young man of 28 , wen holding the town of Ban Antonio again * General Santa Ana and 4,000 men. The ] were the only defenders of the tonn , and were cniconccd In the old mission ot tlio Alamo. Davy Crockett was alio with them , ami Colonel Iloxrlo , who was wounded nnd stretched out on liti cot. Of artillery they hid only fourteen pieces. Santa Ana demanded surrender , but the llttlo gfirrlson held out for ten days , skir mishing secretly for food and vroter. Kvcrr shot out of the mission house told , but not > no ot the Alamo heroes w re hurt , [ 'alienee and strength , however , were being rapidly exhausted. Some of the little band ivero falling sick ; others were desperate. Reinforcements' hid bt n appealed for , but none had come. Colonel Lameln with 300 iicn and four pieces of artillery had started In answer to the appeal , but had put In somewhere for fresh water and food sup plies. At last Captain Smith joined the ex hausted band wUh thirty-two men. Three days after General Santa Ann ceased the jombardlng , and taking advantage ot this Captain Travis called his men Into line , nnd 'ranltly owned that there was no earthly lope for them ; that he had led them Into this Milking reinforcements were on the way. llo docs not utter ono word against Lameln 'or falling him ; he simply gives them their : holce of deaths. They can surrender nnd ic shot down , or bo killed fighting out their revenge. The captain drew a line and said : 'Kvcry man wlio Is determined to remain lero and to die with me will come to mo across that line. " Every soldier but one. crossed at once. When they finished , Colonel Jowle lokcd up with ) ila arm In a sling and cried : "Boys , don't leave me. Won't somn of you carry me across ? " And the only Backward step they made was to go over : he line and carry the colonel to the young captain's side. The man Hose , who was a coward , dropped over the wail Into a ditch , and was verily the only man who escaped to tell the tale. And then came the terrible day. day.Santa Santa Ana brought all his forces to bear on the fortress. The scaling ladders were again and again raised , but those who placed : hem were ishot down like grain. Four ihousand men charging Into 172 seempd easy enough , but It soon reduced the 1.000. At last numbers conquered , and the Mexi cans climbed over Into the Alnmo. The llttlo band ot defenders were trampled on and beaten , but they dropped to their knees and hacked and shot and pierced until the illo of the dead was awful. Colonel Bowie , Lee weak to rise from hU cot , leans on hU well elbow and marks his man every tlmo lie pulls the trigger. Cut , bleeding , he con tinues to kill until the pistol falls and th breath leaves his body. Davy Crockett standing In a corner , fights like a panther , and the young captain backed against the wall surrenders only when run through and through. The great battle la over. The Mexicans have won. Out of the 172 Texans are 172 dead. No Spartans were braver and more tenacious , for they killed 522 ot their ene mies , and wounded GOO more. Texas though was finally freed , and whenever great deeds thrill young boys' hearts , they should think ot that splendid piece ot American daring , and say as Houston said to his men ; 'He. member the Alamo. " Cincinnati Commercial. When you wish to rend at n headlong speed , Or to write a sentence fleetly. Yon should mind your stops , or the mean ing drops. And the sense gets test completely. So I write these lines to commend the signs Which we use In our punctuation ; For the sign that's best ( though I like the rest ! ) la the note of Interrogation. Now a clever child has been sometimes styled The most perfect type of beauty ; But the infant mind la to knowledge- blind , So to tench is nn elder's duty. Yet I would not nsk for a harder task Than a. juvenile's education ; For each child I know ( until twelve or so ) Is a note of Interrogation. It H passing sweet to a maid to meet With n touch of the tender passion , When n lover true Is at hand to woo In the old but Immortal fashion ; And the girls nil Ions for the same sweet song Of a love throughout life's duration ; On Its strains they dote but the sweetest note Is. the note of IntprroKtitlon. Perfectly restores a rich , lustroi.H . color , niakcH Ilio liatrlic.ilthv. nnd Is ' clean. . - fiilt , Me.imln-r , or Tiirklah linttm do not affect It. It la an n.u- ur.il : mnature. Uctwllou ImnosHltjtQ , We mnku : ippllcutloiiH n specialty , and lutvu the handsomest nrlv.itu rooms In tlio city. city.coLona coLona NOT. No. II. GOLD I1LOND , No. 7 , ASII ntONU. 1'rlco il.OO and * 1 DO. A fnc sample bottle of the ntiest roueo , "Impe rial Venus Tint , " will bo sent on receipt of 2-cenl . IMPERIAL CHEMICAL MFO. CO. , 292 Fifth Avenue , N.Y. IN OMAHA : SHERMAN & MeCONNELL , 1513 Dodge Street. Locomotor Ataxia , Epilepsy . . . AND ALt. DISEASES OF THE .SPINAL CORD FIND HEADY AM UGfiAflON FROM HE USE OF t MEDULLINE , THE EXTRACT OF 1 HE SPINM. CORO OF THE OX , PREPARED UNOEH THE FORMUU OG ' ' Dr. WM. A. . . . HAMMOND , IN MIS LABORAtORYAT WAiHlNU'ON , 0 C. Io e. 3 drups. IVIcc , l\vo draclims , $1.30. Columbia Chemical Co.,1 , A WASHINGTON , D. C. END ron eaon. , tt ' KUIIN & CO. . AGENTS FOn OMAIL * . CUT THIS OUT nl send It tonsulllijournnmcnnj ulrunnmlroMMsriuJ ) on tlilsntitcti by oxproM for utntiilnnlliin A UAIlANTJUKfiira YKAItS Bontwltli It. You cxnmlna tt nncl If AOII thlnlclt u Imriraln p..ynur samiilo i > rlr Si. HIS mul It In ) ours. It fstliolmnd * ftomrst anil tc t timekeeper In tha world for Ilio mon.y ami bctterthnti ninny \ > niches sold for four times tlieprtco. prjPPu"M every natchna LH Jleiid nbnoluteljr free of vlmfgpa lovely RolJ pUta ctmln and clmrmRlv30urble cntnlocuo full of bargains. \Vrltoto-any.tULsofrerwtll not appear ORnlii. Address , EASTLAKE MFG. CO , , Cor. Adams and Slata Sis. , CHICAGO. ILL. TOR ES & SEARLES SPECIALISTS , Chronl' ' ! Xcrvoui Privalc AND CURE Diseases " ' Trcalmcntby Mail , Consultation Frco > Catnrrli , nil diseases of the nos ? , Tliroat. ChestStomachLiverUlooJ Skin nnd Kidney diseases , Lost Manhood nnd all Private Dis eases of Men. Cull on or address , Dr. Scarlcs & Searles , Omaha , Neb Stroat , * f Puraly Vegetable. Prepared from the original fo mula , pro , rervcdln tua Archives of the Holy Land , liay ,3g an authentic history dating bnoi COOyca s. A POSITIVE CURE for oil Stomach , Kidney and Bowel troubles , especially CHRONIC CONSTIPATION , Price 50 cents. Sold by all druggists. The Franciscan Remedy Co. , 131 VAT SUKBiI ST. , CHICAGO , HL. . lifer Circular ion ! Illustrated Calendar. For sale by Kulm &Co. , 15th & Draglis flnlandlcl cnrattrnngent for KerrousorClck lleodncho , Uraln Exhaustion , Hleeplew .apodal gr general NearalsU alBozor 1. matlim , ( lout , lildnor Dliorueri , Acid populu. Anaemia. Anttdota for Alee -M un.l othereicensou , i'riceWKoadCOc - Kflervotfocat. THE ARNOLD CHEMICAL CO. 1D1 3. Western Avenue , CHICAGO. For sala by all drucclsti , Omaha. $15,000 Unprecedented ! ! DIAMONDS , ' thoo.tclanmtlon you hear on all TI * 'i-l-'o WATCHES. 1 II dL o sides when reference U inada to the groatrst of ill auction sales , now in pro- 214 Sou'Ji l&tn Street. CLOCKS , Kvery artlclo sold Is backed up by ND the personal guarantee , ot John JEWELRY , Bnumor. No nusriiprcsniitiitlons are made , and everything Is sold at YOUR prluo. SILVERWARE John Baumorfonot . Kolii out of bust- ness. Helms u longtime Irtisoou the best cor AND ner In tlio city , nnd ho will Htlll bo found tit tlmotd mand doing buslm-sn when this great sale lias become u tiling of the BRIC-A-BRAC Hnn't Fnrcrpt T'1 ' " " 10 | s for the L/UII L rUIgcLsola purpose of AT AUCTION raisins $ ir > .UOU and raising that amount quick , ly , John Itaumor dooin't cot profits , but John ll.iumor gets MONEY QUICKLY , ana that's SALES AT what's wanted. afternoon at 2 AND 7:30 UMO o'clock mill uvory ovonlnviit 7:30 : ( until fin liter notice ) Una Of- ' giintlc Auction K.i In will continue. You can O'CLOCK not alTorcl to let tlio opportunity puss you must attend. EACH DAY. Roar in IV/IinH Vou will never see DtJcir III IVHllU Biicli on opportu- Ity again to cot Clirlstmai good * for jiut $15,000 what you fool llko pnylug for thorn , BAUMER , Jeweler and Diamond Merchant , 214 SOUTH I5TH STREET. * * ffi'eflallu iitvlleil to utleint tlirtc tain. RYA EXACT SIZE ' PERFECTS THE MERCANNLE IS THE FAVORITE TEH CENT CIGAR , For s.vlo by all First Class Dealers. Manufactured by the F. R. niCEMERCANTILE CIGAR CO. , Factory No. 301 , St. Louls.Mo.