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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 2, 1896)
10 THE OMAIIA DAELY BIDEi SUNDAY , FEBRUARY 3 , 1890. Chevndter H&JTiS' CHAPTER I. THH LANGUAGE OP THE ANIMALS. The story of how Duster John , Sweetest Susan nnd Drusllla , their negro nurse , found their way Into Mr. Thlmbleflnger'g queer country has been set forth , and many of the talcs .they beard there have been told. All of this matter has been put Into a book , wlicro tha curious may now find It. Thla being so , It In not necessary to go over It again. Imitation Is bad enough , but repeti tion It worse. It Is enough to say , there fore , that these children whose names have been mentioned lived on a large plantation In middle Georgia , In that part of the country whore cotton grows , where the mocking birds sing In the orchards and whore the rosea bloom In the open air from April to No vember. There la nothing tropical or even semi- ttoplcal In middle Georgia. The trcos and shrubs and all of the wild flowers are the same as these that grow In New England. The summers nro not so hot nor the winters so long and cold In middle Georgia us they are further to the north , but warm weather lasts longer , and that Is the reason that cotton and sugar cane and watermelons can bo railed In middle Georgia In the open air. The plantation onwhich the children lived wai Just llko all , the other plantations 'round about , but the youngsters bad already found out that It was entirely different from the rest In some respects. . So far as they knew , and they had made careful inquiries. , there was no" Mr" Thlnibleflnger on any of th ? neighboring' plantations and there was no road leading from any other plantation to Mr Thlmbleflngor's queer .country. On Sundays when there was a big meeting going on at Mt. Zlon church , and the congre gation carried dinner In'- hamper baskets. Dut'ter John and Sweetest Susan and Dru- ellla ( their negro nurse and playmate ) took pains to Inquire among the children they mot there If any of them had ever men Mr. Thlm- bloflnger. The reply was that they 'had not only never seen him , but had never even hoard of him before. This made Busier John feel moro Important than ever , while Sweetest Susan said she was surprised and sorry that the ether children should have failed to sec Mr. Thlmbloflnger , and they so near Iris queer country , too. As for Drusllla , she de clared that It madeno difference , anyhow , "Koso ef dey wuz ter POO 'Im wld dor naked cyca dey wouldn't b'llevo dey seed Mm. " Hut the neighbor children said nothing ; they sim ply atarcd at one ancthur and concluded that Buster John and Sweetest Susan and Drusllla wore trying to make fun of them. It the neighbor children bad bejn wise they would have asked some questions about Mr. Thlmbleflnger , and then they would have found out that the Abercromble place , as It waa called , was different from all the other plantations they had ever beard of , being the scene of some of Mr. Thlmbleflnger's per formances , and containing within Its bounda ries the gateway to Mr. Thlmbleflnger's queer country , which lies next door to the world. These who have taken the trouble to road the books In which tlie storlc-3 told by Mr. Thrlmbleflnger and his friends are. partly set forth , 'will remember that when Buster John , Sweetest Susan nnd Drusllla were on the point of returning home , they were asked If they knew a man named Aaron. To which Buster John replied that bo ought to know Aaron , slnco he was foreman of the field hands. Whereupon , Buster John was told that Aaron was the son of Ben All , and knew the language of animals. "If you .want to learn this language , " 'said Mr. Rabbit , ' "go to Aaron , son of Ben All , take him by bis , Ieft hand , bend tbo thumb , back , , and with ' your right forefinger make a' cress mark on It. Should Aaron pay no attention to It , re peat the sign. The third tlmo he will know It. " But the minds of the children were so busy thinking of what they had seen and heard that they forgot all about the matter. Ones'when ' Buster John chanced to remember what ho had been told , Aaron "happened to be111 In bed. Another time , when the children determined to find out something about the language of the' animals , they , found that Aaron was nwoy from home. Ho .tad gone with the wagons to Augusta , 100 miles away , to sail the year's , crop of cotton.Thus In one way and another Busto'r John , Sweetest Susan and Drusllla wero" many long months older when they sought and found Aaron In his cabin than they were when they made their last visit to Mr. Thlrabloflnger's queer country. Now Aaron was the most remarkable slave In all tbo country round , not because he was tall and finely' formed , not because ho carried himself as proudly as a military ofllcer , but because ho had a well-shaped head , a , sharp bl-ick eye , thin lips and a noD > prominent , but not flat. Another ro- marknblo feature was his hair , which , In stead of being coarse and kinky , was flue , thick , wavy , glossy , and as black as Jet. The negroes on the place seemed , to be very much afraid of him. This would not have been strange If Aaron had been an old man ; .negroes'always stand' In-awe , of thosa who are very old ; but ho was not above forty , and seemed even ypunger. There were many stories .current about. Aaron , wljlch the' negroes' ' fold to each' , o.tuer In whispers when their cabin flrea burned low. Ono M that he was a conjurer and In league with ttie " 'old boy. " This was b'ocatiso Aaron refused to associate with hh fejlow servants on te'nns of equality , and would allow them to take no liberties with him. Another story was that he was of Indian blood. But he had no Indian characteristics except that of serenity. His color was dark brown. Ho was both qulcfc In his move- inputs and fluent of speech , but his talk was different from that of the negroes. Still another story about Aaron was that he was very dangerous. It was whispered that he had killed several people , a number of women and children among them. This story grew out of the fact that ho alone > could manage * Tlmolcon , the big black stal lion. This horse , wild In his ways and fierce of temper , was as gcntlo as a dog In Aaron's hands , and followed him about as the chickens follow the mother hen. It was ono Saturday when Buster John , Sweetest Susan , and Drusllla went to Aaron's cabin , On the plantation there was a half- holiday every Saturday If crop work wan not pressing , and sometimes when the corn waa laid by the negroes Uad a whole holiday. This" was the case now. The children saw Aaron go Into hU cabin and half close * the door- after htm , Buster John , wont forward and , knocked. There was no Invitation to "come In , " as there would havcTjeen at any other cabin In the negro quarters. Instead , Aaron came to the door , pulled It open , and looked out with something like a frown on Ms face , But he smiled when he raw the children. There was a step lacking among those leading to the door , fo ho seized Buster John by the hand and- swung htm Into the room. Then he lifted Sweetest Busan a little more carefully , but Ignored Oruullla altogether. Thin , was not regarded by Drusllla as n alight , for she was not anxious to be touched by him. Shu was not even anxious to go Into the cabin , but her curiosity was more powerful than her vagut * fears , and so after a whe | | filio followed the children In , Aaron , still emlllng , lilted Buster John hlgli' In the- air , "Lo1 me see ; like enough you'd wclah ninety poun' . " "B'Khty-ieven , " replied Buster John. "HeavyJ heavy ! " exclaimed Aaron. "One time I toted ycur uncle all night long. He was' 16-year-old and weighed fifty poun' , " "That was'Uuclo Crotchet , who IB dead , " bald Buster John , ' 'Yes. ' Folks named him Little Crotchet , " Aaron remarked. "That was over so long ago , " suggested Sweetest Susan. "Fifteen yo r , " said Aaiori , ( eanwhlle Buster John pretended to b playing with Aaron's left hand. Finally ho eolxed the thumb , bent It back as far aa It would go , and made a cross mark on It. Aaron playfully Jerked his hamV away , but Uust'or John caught It again , bent the thumb back" , and again made the cross mark. Ap parently Aaron paid no attention to tliU , for ' he'fdlled to take hit hand a ay. Once more , nnd for the third time , Buster John bent the thumb bad : and made the cross mark. At once Aaron put him gently aside and went to the door and closed It. Then he * turned to Muster John and said In a whisper : "Ho * come ? Where you been ? Who told you ? " Buster John was so much surprised that be hesitated a moment , and then began to reply In a tone of voice somewhat louder than usualr "Sh-shl talk lowl" whispered Aaron. "Did somebody tell you lo'do that ? " "Yes , " said Buster John. "Round anywhere by the oprlng ? " Aaron was very cautious In putting this question. 'Apparently ' ho wanted to make himself per fectly sure. "Yes , " cried Sweetest Susan. "The spring Is the gate , you know. " "She , too ? " asked Aaron , nodding his head toward Drusllla. "Of course , " said Buster John. "I dunner how come I can't go whar da yuthers does1 , " remarked Drusllla. "All right all right ! " exclaimed Aaron. Then he counted them. "One two three ! And now you've come to me. What for ? " "We want to learn how to talk with the animals , " eald Duster John. Aaron , who had been frowning a little , seemed to bt relieved. The frown disap peared. . "Oho , " he cried , "Is that all1 'Taint much , , yet It's a heap. You'll hear lots of sasty talk. Sometimes , maybe , you'll have to stop up your ears. " "Wewon't mind that- remarked Buster John. "Maybo not , " said Aaron. Then he , went to a large wooden chest that sat In the corner , unlocked It , and presently brought forth a bundle of red cloth. This ho placed on the floor and Hat bs lde It , motioning the children to sit on the floor In a circle around the bundle. Ho unrolled the cloth until ho came to an oval-shaped mirror. The frame was heavy and richly carved , and shone as bright as new diver shines. Aaron placed the beautiful mirror carefully on the floor , face up. Then he threw tbo red cloth over his head 'and over the children's j heads. If any one had been peeping through I sny nothing about thomatter .to any person , , nnd threatening Drusllla with uplifted finger that If Pho opened her mouth about It ho would put "tha mlsjry" on her. Drurllla hnd seen negfdei who' Were' the' victims of "tho misery" wbjch Is the p'vintatlon name of the spell that conjurer's * puC dri"Vcoplc , 'and Bhe declared over and -ov r again that she wouldn't tell "crossing 'her heart" to- show thai Bho"rneant what she 'said : "Can we talk with the animals sure enough the horsft''the cdwii'thi ' ? sheep'th'elogs and the hogs. ? " aske-1 Busier , John. . Aaron smiled as' be answered : "A liltlo b't now , more pretty soon. The sheep I rlnn't know. Sheen don't talk much around me. Hut the others are'talking'all'tho time. You must walchall.tha tuotlons they make , shutting the eye , switching the tall , flopping the car , stamping the foot all part of the talk. " "When shall We" try ? " asked Burter John. "Right aftr dinner , " replied Aaron. "We'll go see old Tlmolcon. " "Tlmolco'i , " cried , Sweoiest Susan , In dis- in ft v. Aaron laughed and nodded his head. "We'll take him eut the stable- and see what ha says. Tlmoleon good talker. " "Oh , I'm afraid to. go ! " cried Sweetest Susan. "Mamma told mo never to go near Tlmoleon's stable : " ' "I'll tell you do plain trufo , " said Drusllla vehemently. "I wouldn't 'KO.up dar In dal flel > whar dat boss Is I wouldn't go dar , not for money. Ain't I done see Mm Jump on a n'gger msn an1 tar de clozo'off'n Mmf Uh-uh ! you dcn't ketch mo lip dar ! " "Llttlo Missy will 'go , with mo. " remarked Aaron.1 Then ho pointed to Drusllla. "You go or stay , but , look but ! -No'talk ! " "I'll set on de fence an' 'see'do boss cat 'em up , " suggested Drusllla , by way > ot a compromise. "Sho'll gtf If I do , " said Sweetest Susan. "Ycu mus' not be ngwlnc.-den , " was Dru- sllla's comment. , Aaron looked at the girl so severely that sbo shrank back. . , . "Don't mind Drusllla , " said Sweetest ' Susan. "She doesn't mean anything she . says , except when she asks for something to THEY NEVER TOLD WHAT THEY SAW. t ie .chinks of. , the chimney he would have been y'ery. much 'puzzjed by what ho .saw and heard. He would have seen the red cloth bobbing up and down , as If those un derneath were bowing their hfads back and forth , and he 'would ' have heard muffled exclamations of wonder , the loudest of all being Drusllla'o Involuntary cry : "Don't dat beat all ! " The children never told what happened under the cloth , nor what they saw In Cue mirror. When Aaron rose to his feet , the cloth still over his head , ho made a few movements with his. arms , and lo ! there was the bundle In hishands with the mirror wrapped In Its folds. Sweetest Susan looked at Buster John. "Wasn't It easy ? " she cried. "Did you over see anything as bright " She- would , have eald more , but Aaron touched her gently on the arm and put his finger en his lips. At that moment a gander In the spring lot began to scream. "What did ho say ? " atked Aaron , looking at Drusllla. "He say , 'I'm gwlno alter water water who wanter go ? ' " Aaron seemed satisfied with the answer. He replaced the bundle In the chest , turned the- key , and then leaned against the rude mantel shelf he bad nailed over the fire place , i "You think I am a nigger , don't you ? " Ho turned to Buster John. "Of course , " said the youngster without hesitation."What else are you ? " "I'll show "you. " From his pocket Aaron drew a llttlo package something wrapped In soft leather and securely tied. It was a memorandum book. Opening this small book , -Aaron held It toward Buster John , saying"What's here ? " "It looks like pothooks , " replied tha boy frankly. "Ain't a word In It I can't read- said Aaron , "Read some of It , please/ ' pleaded Sweet est Susan. Thereupon Aaron began to read from the book In a strange tongue , the toneof his voice taking on modulations the children had 'never heard before. "I ain't never hoard no Jabber llko dat , " oatd Drusllla. "What sort of talk is It ? " asked Buster John. "Taln't no creetur talk , " remarked Dru- siila ; "I know dat mighty well. ' , > "It's the talk of Ben All , " said Aaron "Ben All , my daddy. , Every word here was , put down by him. " " ' , talk about "Why , I've heard grandpa Uncle Ben All , " sugested Buster John , Aaron nodde . --"Many-.a-time. Your grandpa , niy .master , tried to buy my daddy , but Ben All was'worth too much. I wont to we him with my. inastpr .twice a year till ho died. He" was no nigger. " 'IWhnt' then 1"- , Duster John asked , "Arab man of the desert slave hunter- all 'put down here , " said Aaron , tapping the llttlo book with his finder. The 'chlldfen were anxlouo to hear more abo.ut. Ben/All , the Arab Ben All tho'slave hunter , who had himself l > econo a slave. There was not much -.to tell , but .that little was full of Interest as Aaron told It , sitting In his door , 'tho children sitting on the step.below' him. Kof the most part tbe book'was a' diary of events .that had hap- penei ) . to'Ben AH After' he had lauded ' In this country , being written In one ' 'of the desert dialects , but the first few pages told how the Arab chief happened to be a clave. Ben All was the leader of a band that made constant war on , some of the African tribes In the Senegamblan region , AVItli their captives , thin. " band qf Arabs fre quently'pushed on to Iho Guinea coast , and there rold them to the slave traders. These excursions continued until on ono occatlon the Arabs chanced to clash with avar - loylng tribe , wjilch was also engaged in plundering and raiding Its neighbor ! . The meeting was unexpected to the Arabs , but not to tbe Africans. The Arabs who were left allvo wore led captive to the coast and there sold with other prisoners to slaw traders. Among them was Bon All , who was then not moro than 30 years old. With the rest he was brought to America , where ho was sold to a Virginia planter , fetching u very high price. Along with him In the same ship was an Arab girl , and she was also bought by the planter. Nothing was eald In the diary In regard to the history of this girl , except tbat she became Ben AU'a wlfo and born him a ion and a daughter. The on WJB Aaron , so named. The daugh ter dle4 while yet a child. Those thtngi Aaron told the children , little by little and in a rambling way , bog ging .Butter-John and Sweetest Susan to oat. " . . . . . , - . , * , . * i. . . > .f- ) . "After dinner .wo'Jl 'go ' td see Tlmolcon. If he seems like he's' In good humor ; " ' Aaron explained , "we'll bring him , out. If he has been- fretting we'll let him stay. " This was perfectly satisfactory'to ithe chil dren , especially to Buster John. - : They went to play , but they only pretended to play. All they could do was to" discuss what they 'had already seen and h'ear.d and what they hoped to see and hear , . . Time seemed to .pass very slowly" . They tat down and talked , and then walked about and talked , but still It'was not dinner time. Thry would have become very Impatient Indeed had not Busier John chanced to hear the biff gray rooster call out to the yellow hen : "Run , run , run ! Here's'a ' bug ! " The yellow hen went running , but Juat as she reached the- gray rooster he turned and walked away with great dignity , saying : "Come on , let's go ; come on. " "I might have known It' , " compl-alned the yellow hen ; "you are- like all the- rest of the roosters. A respectable hen can't depend on anything you say , " "Como on , come on , " said the big gray rooster , strutting along. "I was Just trying I to get you away from that one-eyed doml- i nicker. He's not fit company for you to [ associate with. " "Hoity-toity ! " cried the yellow hen. "And | didn't I see you this morning scratching your toes off for the Frlesland pullet ? " Buster John and Sweetest Susan'laughed- heartily at this , but'Drusllla1 was ver'y serious. "I dunne which" do wuss , " she ' cried , "chickens er folks. " After that tlmo no longer hung heavy on the children's hands. When- the : " dinner bell rang Buster John and Sweetest Susan wore ion band promptly , with 'their faces"wash'e'd and their hair combed. They -were so anx ious to get through their dinner' that they ate : rapidly , and this attracted the attention of their mother , 'who wanted to know what they had been doing to make them so hun gry. The only satisfaction she got Was a request to "Please , ma'am , make haste and have some dinner fixed for Drusllla , " This was very soon done , and In a llttlo while the children were ready to go with Aaron to eee Tlmoleon , CHAPTER II. A RIDE ON THE BACK OP THE 'BLACK ' STALLION. . . . , Aaron was not ready as soon as the- chil dren were , buuthey.waited for him with larabllko patience , considering their eager ness. Finally Aaron came out of his cabin and waved his.hand as a signal that , ho was ready. The chlldron'"rati to him , and to gether they went to the barn , .where Tlmolcon had his stall. It was built of stout logs , hewn square and mortised together , and was In the middle of a flvo-acro field that had once been In * cultivation , but was now overrun with Bermuda grass. Here -Tlmo leon reigned In solitude except when Aaron was with him. In this stable he remained securely Imprisoned , save when Aaron took him out for exorcise , , , . . Tlmoleon was a horse renowned through out the country renowned for his -victories on the race , track and his vjclaus , temper. Even In his old age he was fleet and fierce ; more dangerous , .people said.than ' . a" tiger and stronger than a lion. Fierce and strong,1 be waa alsd beautiful. His coat glistened In the sun llko satin. His mane was flowing' and heavy , his tall long and full. Hla.i'ieck" and shoulders were thick and powerful ; hla head tapering to the muzzle" , his ears small and In constant niotlon , as .when the. n'eht ' wind stirs the leaves of the willow" hla nos trils red and flexible , and all his motion's quick and graceful , Aa Aaron and the children apppoaciied 'the stable they heard Tlmoleon pounding against the heavy logs'with his'feet. "I'm gwlne back ! " cried DrusilU. "He's tryln1 ter git out now , " But she kept along with the rest. ' "What Is the matter with him ? " asked Sweetest Susan , "He's fretting , " replied Aaron. "Fretting or playing. He- went to the stable and unlocked It , sayng , "What now ? " ' ' 'Son of Ben All , what have I donb ? " cried Tlmoleon. "Today I go hungry because the corn la on the cob , tomorrow I'll be foun dered because the corn is shelled. Is U , then , nothing to you that I am old and my : eotli are bad ? What have I done ? As fpr the fodder. It la full of dust. To put my nose lu It U to cough all night , In the des ert , I have been told , an old horuo has new rice and cracked barley. " Buster John looked at Sweetest Susan , and Sweetest Susan looked at Buster John. They were , too much nstonlihod to nay any thing. ; " 7 "Kvcn u'gjftindfion of Abdallah. " aald Aaron , "whu0 iyg the sun on the wall above your jrojigh ? Does It stand at the dinner hourT yWJfiy grumble , then , about corn on the cot ) , tliat I. have caved for the grunter ? " i "What Isghc Grunting Pig to me , eon of Ben Allprillie sun on tbo wall ? The dinner houniofsllionj who are hungry comes best when itl tomej quickest. I have hurt .my teeth oroijour nubbins. Take them away.- tfq ji Saying t X iTImolean snorted contemptu ously. ThoiTlihidllenly he gave a loud snort of surprls * tinrP'Hngcr. His quick and rest less eye had caught sight of Sweetest Suaan's dress thrcnitjoj/n icrack.'Intho - door. " " "whats \ this ? "Son of Ben All , ho said , You arc not alone , " j "No , grandson of-Abdallah , I have brought three of my friends- replied Aaron , "Who are they. ' son .of Bon All ? " "Two grandchildren of trio w.hltc-halrcd Mnsier anfl their fervant.1 "Why have they < 56ihe ? " ' - "As I havo. touched -your knee , PO they hare , touched , my - thumb. Once , twice , thrice. " . . ; Tlmolcon , turned from the door , walked to the far end of his stable , and then re ' ' " ' turned. "Tho grandchildren' the whlto-halred Master are.'wise' . " he'said. "So It sDemp , " replied Aaron. "Then let Vn6 lolfch thdm with my nos ; , so that hereafter I may know them , " Aaron opcno'd 'the door and Tlmoleon strode out. Ho liad on neither halter nor bridle , and the children shrank and cowered be hind Aaron. "Son of .Ben All , what does this mean ? " asked Time-Icon. ' "It means that' Ih'ey are children' ' who have heard that the grandson of Abdallah Is a eavngCj.beaM , " replied Aaron. Tlmolecnlwllh ( lowered head went to ths children and 'pressed his muzzle gently against the shoulder of each : aganst ! Butter John flrst Swe'etest Susan next , and Drusllla last. They yvcro , all frlghteried , but Drusllla's terror was eucli that her face , black as It .was , took on"an ashqn hue. To make mat ters worsci Tlmbleoii" snorted suddenly and loudly when Uq. pressed his nose on her shoulder. She gave , a. piercing _ Bcrsam arid fell on. the'"ground In a heap. Tlmoleon sprang , back .as. though an attack had been" made on him. It > was all. so comical that Aaron laughed , anil Buster John and Sweetest Susan relieved the strain on their feelings by Joining him boisterously almost hysteri cally. Drusllla , hearing this , rose to her feet , with anger In her eyes. "I dunner what you all white chlllun laughln' at. Ef you speck I'm gwlncter stan' ( latfoottd .an' let dat.ar hess blto de top er my head oft1 you done/.gfinp an' fooled yo'self. I knowed What ho wuz g'wlne ter do time I seed d2 white er" hls'oye. His brcft hot miff tor burn yo' ban' . What he' want ter come doln'-ilat > a way fer ? I don't want no boss ter be' iuggln"ne wld , his upper lip nohow. I'll tejl anyhocjy dat.- , While Drusllla. was quarreling Tlmoleon was grazing hear by , ' and A'nron. find the children werestlll ! .laughing. "Ef you all think "It ; sc ; funny , , go'darwhar dat boss Is ail' let - 5in"nibble' at y.ou , nn1 blow his nosojon yo'ii.f.time cr two. " "What docff slfo\ay"son of Ben , All ? " ' Tlmoleon asked , _ raising his.'h'cad ' from tbe rank Bermuda rass. "She says she .Ihcught you were * about to bite off her headl" V Tlmoleon gave a shortof contempt , and addressed himself again to the dainty feast before him. ,7 ' "Not too much'of that , grandsbn.of Abdal lah , " said Aaron. "You are too . -fat now. You > need exo/clse. How long since , you have bad a gallop ? " " . - > "A month of Sundays , son .of Ben All. " "Today you shall have one. ; Onjyour head I will plac ; a halter ; on your br.oad ( baclc I will sthip youc..blanket. On tha'i/blanket / I will place my friends ' and jours ; ( > tlie grand children ofr tho' whltp-halred master. But listen ; a Ptujijble and I'm done with you ; any trickery , Vnd the eon of Ben All will como near you 'nt more. " "So may It be , son 'of Ben Alj , " "I believe you , grandsonjsf 'Abdallah. . You are to go by yonder gate "through the lane to the great road. From thercjilt Is-a- mlle-and-a Jialt Jtcuthe. gatethat.orJeiis. . onthe. " yen.UB9lIeadpg ; to the house orvthe .whiter nared | mast6 ; . , , At.that'gate jj. will await ' ' you. Then up'xh'e'.avenue to the , house you ary'.to go. and 'thre 'times around th'e box wood circle where theavenue , ends. " "So It shall be , son , of Ben All , Have you not carried a noggin .of water on my back and set me at a gallop without spilling a drop ? So It shall be now , son of Ben AH. " JTo be Continued. ) 04 I'M TAIir AS D. A. Ellaworth .In Chlcnpro Tribune. Did y'u know I wuz AS tall as.ma ? Ani ! Pa" mepsured us , ' An' you nsk pa ! MaAwouIdn't b'lleve It ; Says , "The Idee Of that boy Jjeln' As tnll as rne ! " . ' An' pa he plagued ma- ' Told her that she AVaa the baby , now , of our fam'ly ; I tried to Ipve , ma. Same 8 $ before ; Sh < i psUyf > , ' "You can't be Baby no more ! " r It tickles my pa Fur me to bo Taller than my ma ; An' tickles me. ' 'Cause , BOO. I kn6w it's My only chance NPX' suit that I git I want long pants ! TOLD OUT OP COimT. A distinguished American Judge has a habit which Is -altogether uncommon- he frequently brings friends home to .dinner quite unexpectedly. This habit Is certainly hospitable , but It is not popular with wives. One court day the { Judge Invited a number of his legal brethren to dine with him , se renely obvious of the1 fact tbat his wife was totally unprepared for such an Incursion. The lady , however , was equal to theoccasion. She did not fusg < and frown and make things unpleasant all round. On the contrary , she accepted the' situation with a good grace and made the best of It. The modest meal was served as promptly as. possible , and' ' though It was r.ot a sumptuous banquet It was at 'least agreeable to guests and host. When dinner was ' over , 'Just before leaving the gentlemen 1p 'their wlna' and cigars , tbo lady arose and said : "Gentlemen , I wish to say one word. You have dined today with the Judge ; will you 'do'mo the honor of din ing tomorrow' with mo ? " A chprus of ap plause greeted tftls pooch.and next day the lady welcomed her. husband's'friends to a , dlr.r.cr worthy of such an accomplished . Ono day duflhg' provincial tour , Charles Mathews atroUed Into tbo Sessions house at Shrewsbury rftijlijja trial was going on , re lates"'a London p fper. Presently an usher came , to him , wjth tbe Judge's .compliments , to Inquire If JiiJ ouId like a seat upon the bench. RathuoijUhetl / , aa ho had no acquaintance'witli'nis lordship , Mathewa fol lowed his conduc r , , and was most effusively received. Heytl i the Incident some years afterward to'jft Jegal friend , he was commenting menting- ' upon the. politeness shown him , when the lletojifliSi burst out laughing ; "I heard the JucUift//'H the .story , " , he said"and I remember Jvj ) wring , 'I was eo frightened when I cauBtijtjjjIjtif of that rascally Matbewa In tbo courtwUi { hie eyes upon me that I couldn't fixopiyjtthoughts upon the case , for I bollevwtnlip ( ha4 come there for the purpose of taHJ/ififme off "on the stage that night ; so I .itjiBjiEAit , It was boat to ho as civil to him -aa possible. ' " One of the English Judges In India was an expert on the--typewriter . , and It occurred to him to use It fop the taking of judicial notes. The machine was conveyed Into court and the Judge kept notes of the proceedings. The prisoner was found guilty and sentenced , and he promptly appealed on the ground that , Instead of , listening to the evidence , the Judge had wlilled away hla tlmo by playing on a musical Instrument ! At a public doner | In Philadelphia some years ago the presiding officer , with a cigar In hbnd , asked Mr , JSvarts for a match , meaning that gentleman should hand to him the box Just boyond-on the table. When Mr , Evarts said : "I have none , " the presiding ofllcer rejoined , "Very well , 1 shall have to Introduce you as tbu matchless orator from New York. " And lyot , says the narrator of this story , some people lay that Philadelphia la "slow. " ' , nni't lii nni * r THE HERO OF NEW ULM. An Episode of the Sioux Uprising In 1802 , ( CopyrlRht. 1SK ! , by J. it. Merrill. ) On Sunday , the 17th day of August , 1SC2 , five persons were murdered In Acton , Meeker county , Minn. , by Sioux Indians. This was the beginning of one of the most bloody outbreaks of recent history. The country for miles about Now Ulm was terrorized , and the massacres along the bor der were of the most fiendish character. 1 Abotit 500 mbn , women and children fell victims , to the bullet , the tomahawk and scalping knife of the bloodthirsty savages. Amohgthot settlers In the vicinity of Now Ulm was John Whltton , n sturdy New Eng lamlciy whohhad ventured west to seek his fortune on the rich pralrlo lands of the Nortlv Stir stale. Ills family , besides himself , consisted of a wlfo and three children. On Monday , August 18- John , Whltton walked to New Ulm on business , not having 'hoard of the murders of the , prevloui. day In tho. adjoining county. On this HA mo morning Casper Whltton , a lad 'Of16 , went , to a , neighbor's for the pur pose of trading a cheap silver watch to the neighbor's son for a rlflo , The lad bad.made , the trade and was re turning homeward with his rlflo and am munition when he raw a smoke rlso from the pralrlo In the direction of his home. The 'boy hastened his stcpo , foirlng flro bed accldently caught either In the barn or house , both of which wore hidden from view by n considerable hll ( overlooking the Min nesota river. When ho readied the brow of the hill a 'otartllng sight greeted the eyes of the pioneer boy. The farm house was In flames and thrco hideously painted.Sioux - were Just on the point of applying the torch \o the barn. .Casper saw nothing-of his mother ' and sis ters "nnd he grew weak with tho'thought CASPER SHOOTS THE INDIAN WHO IS AUOUT TO SET FIHE TO THE BARN. that they .were . In 'the burning house. Per haps most boys would have turned and fle < under similar circumstances. . Casper Whltton's face grew white and .hi arms were unsteady as he raised his newl acquired rifle and taking aim nt the noores savage flred. The Indian fell to the ground Seeing their comrade fall , his two compan Ions darted away with startling yells. Cos per ran down the hill and snatched the rm of the fallen Sioux from the ground an wlth-lt sent another shot , bringing down on of the fleeing Indians with a broken leg. The third savage- fled to the river , plunge In and ssvam to the opposite ahoro and es Casper now ran to the barn and entered to find bis mother and sisters hiding In th of their w s out hay mow. nearly frightened ; Mrs. Whltton explained that one of the lit the approach of the savages tie girls had seen ages from n distance.-and that they had a or.ce sought shelter In the barn. "We will all be murdered ! " exclaimed Mrs Whltton , regarding her bravo son with fear and trembling. ' "There Is no tlmo to lose , " said Casper "The Sioux arc ort the war path. If wo can escape to New Ulm we shall be safe. After reloading both rifles the lad peerei outside. Seeing the coast clear , ho ventured ftrth. Scarcely had lie set foot outside when a rifle cracked and a bullet grazed his cheek It was the wounded Indian who had flrea Casper ran forward and disarmed tbe wretch Delleving the savage could do no further harm with his broken leg , the boy left him and returned to the barn. Dy this time smoke from numerous tires was seen ascending skyward from differen points of the compass. This gave .Tinmls tukable evidence of an Indian uprising. No tlmo waa to bo lost 'If ' Casper and his friends would escape massacre. The lad set about bitching the farm horses to the wagon. Seeing his" mother und sisters wfely on toward , Casper mounted the seat am drove rapidly from "the spot , leaving behind ' the burning ruins of bis home. Now * Ulm wan twelve miles away. Casper realized how lucky had been two events of 'that ' day Ills purchase of the rlflo , and hla 'father's ' decision , after some deliberation , to walk rather than ride Into Now Ulm. Casper , placed the two loaded rifles In the front end of the wagon where ho could put his band on either of them at n moment's ' notice. 1 'To the right and loft columns of smoke rose- , heavenward as the boy drove along toward New'Ulm. while now and again die- 'tant ' yells told of the ruthless work of sav ages. ages.Mile after mile oped by. Mrs. _ Whltton sat CASPER ARRIVES IN SIGHT OP HIS BURNING HOME. with her son on tbe seat , the two llttlo girls occupying the straw-lined bsx behind , Tho'fleeing settlers begin tc- breathe easier , when a new and startling danger confronted them. Directly In their course sprung up a sudden smoke , followed by flame , "It U Bluein's house ! " exclaimed Casper. "Tho Indian * are In front of us ! " "Our retreat Is cut oft ! " walled tbo fright ened Mrs. Whltton , clutching tbe arm of her son. Casper clinched bis tooth. Ho realized the dancer and could not tco any way" to avoid it. Ills mother pleaded with him to stop , or turn about , but ho said no. To stop ei to turn about now would surely soil the ! fate. fate."There "There Is only ono way ; wo must go on , ' said Casper. "Take the reins , mother. Yoi know how to handle od ! Ned nnd Dick Don't slack up no matter what happens. " The mother did as requested. Casper ben down and lifted both rifles to his knee ? . Just ahead was a slight rife , then a steei descent to a lower level beyond. Prom ovoi thin hill the smoke nnd flame of a burnlnf house arose. The building Itself was hlddei from view , being at the foot of the hill. As Oispcr made these preparations th < wagon w s rapidly rising toward the hro of the.kno'll . , Bloodcurdling yells suddenlj soundcil from'Hid scene of'the conflagration. "Now hang fast to the reins , mother , am ! let 'em go for oil Ihal's In 'em , " cried Caw- per. With the' words the boy pllo.l the whlj over the rumpa of both herpes with all bit might. With a snort the farm horses rose to the summit and dashed dowil bit the other s'de at a tremendous rateof spool. A dozer painted Slou'x warriors danced about tin burning farm house. At the bolts of some dangled the scalps of tlio Ill-fated Blucm family. Right Into the midst of , the yelling- sav ages dashed the Whltton wagon with Iti precious freight. So sudden and unexpected Was the rush that several of the red men were knocked down nnd trampled bcncatli the feet of the horses. By the tlmo the marauders had collected their senses , horses and wagon were many reds down the road. Casper held hla rifle ready and as. , the wagon swept'past , ho she out' Sioux dead. The astonished savages fired after the flying wagon and then several set out In pursuit. "Hang fast , .mother ! " cried Casper. "Hero they come ! . " The second rifle cracked , which esrved as a check upon the pursuing reds. Casper reloaded , but the cautious fee dropped back out of range. The boy then lifted his cap and swung It about with a shout of victory. The wagon with Its precious load reached NE-W Ulm without further molestation. The citizens of the town were alarmed and sprung to arms In time to save their homes when the blood-maddened Sioux made an attack soon after. To this day the story of that wild prairie ride and Casper Whltton's heroism Is told at the firesides of the sturdy farmers of western Minnesota. J. M. . MERRILL. PLYING W1TII6UT W1XGS. Some Wonderful KUIi. Llrnr.ls uml Kriiwx of < Iu > TroplcH. A fishing smack , belonging to tlio flest that piles Us trade on the Bahama banks , was scurrying along before- the strong west wind one day when the captain nnd crew , who were below at dinner , noticed that she suddenly righted , nnd the rattling of the reefing points told that she was shaking a'nd up In the wind. "What are you lufil'ng ' for ? " the skipper shouted up the companion way. "Keep her on her course. " But no reply. The reefing points continued to beat their tattoo nnd the big mainsail roared a loud protest. Tbe skipper sprang up the companion way to flnd the man at the wheel lying on the deck almost senseless. A few' moments la'ter ho recovered sufficiently to explain that he had been knocked down by a violent blow and a bruise upon his head was evidence that It was true. But what could have struck the helms man ? There .was absolutely nothing , to ex plain It until suddenly the captain caught n movement In the scuppers , and In a moment had tn his hands a highly-colored fish with long wing-like fins , Its head as hard as a bony armament could make It. It waa the , flying gurnard a living arrow , a flyer without wings that had dashed from Its native element and gone soaring along n Its flight , striking the helmsman BO terrific a blow that he was rendered almost uncon scious. Such Incidents are rare , yet the ordinary flying fish , especially the I'aclflc form , that la eighteen Inches In length , Is a formidable object whcn > darting through the air aa Is Its habit when alarmed. I have hoard of one that flew aboard a utoamer and dashed through a pane of heavy slaps , striking the wall of the room with a force that would easily have knocked the a'ccount down. Not Infrequently boatmen are struck by them , and the writer ha had once > occaDlon to dodge there uncertain living projectiles. AN AUSTRALIAN FLYKR , The fishes are not the only , flyers without wings. Among the mllk-glvlng animals there , are mme remarkable Instances , the , most striking , perhaps , being the flying lemur or , colugo an Australian animal. It ruzcmblcB .0 some extent a large squirrel , lives In the- Tees and when seen sunning along a branch ta flying or soaring possibilities would note > o suspected ; but when alarmed the llttlo creature ruhu nimbly out upon the endof a jrancu and boldly leaps Into the air , But nstead of dropping to the ground It swoops down and In corne myuterlous way appears .0 bo buoyed up and moves on , apparently lying llko a : bird , It Is Indeed soaring , juoyed up by singular membranes or para- chutoa which are plainly visible from below when the hunter If perhaps conco.ilefl. The ! e p Is often nn extraordinary one , ont Into tha air with 4 downward ptunRo , as bird from a limb ; tmt In a few seconds the outstretched sails cutch the wind and the Animal , steadied , moves 'alon * almost parallel to the earth ; then rising ho catches the branch of A tree mt If followed darts Along to hurl Itself from this to another tree , In this manner accomplishing long distances at n marvclomi rate of speed literally flying through the forest without , wings. The colugo Is a curious llttlo creature , sleeping during the daytime , an n rule , often hanging head downward In a seemingly un- cc'mfortablo position ; arousing Itself at night to forage for fruits and other food of Its choice. AN ACTIVH LIZARD. < Travelers through the tropical forests of the east sometime ! ) sec a singular object , rich In brilliant coloring , darting from trco i to tree , resembling some gigantic Insect. 1 H Is a lizard. Draco volius , or 'flying draco , I a striking and beautiful example of this provision of nature vrhleh enables the lizard I to leap Into the air and tear away seemingly 1 with al | , the freedom of a bird. ! The draco , llko ether lizards , lives among f the verdure , cllng'ng to the limbs of trees , , finding protection In the rcmarkiblo mlmlcr.T ( to the objects which surround It , When It desires to reach a distant tree , Instead of running down the trunk , after the man ner of ordinary lizards. It darts nimbly to the topmost bough and boldly launches It self Into the air , sweeping down , supported by a singular membraneous parachute that Is boomed out by false ribs and successfully buoys up the little animal , bearing H rapidly -/f , through the air. This lizard Is most beautiful creature when 'n mid-air , the sun flashing on Its many colon.1 , giving It the appearance * of some gorgeous Insect. A PLYING moo. Some years ago an Englishman traveling In the East Indian archipelago In search of pire species discovered ono of the most sin gular of all the animals which nro enabled to simulate flylug. He was moving slowly along In .a deep forpjst when-ho noticed what woo apparently a bird darting down from a tree , though Its movements were extremely unblrdllke. It seemed to dive down with n plunge , then rose nnd caught another tree 301110 fifty feet away. The strangest part of this flight was that no wings could b seen. The naturalist Mopped nntl began a careful examination and In a short time was rcpild by catching the little flyer In the act. Alarmed by the net It darted from the trco and mls > ? lng Its object fell upon the ground nnd was brought to the traveler In triumph by the natives. It was a frog a now tree frog a most -attractive llttlo creature that had been endowed by nature with enormous webbed feet which It expanded llko wings as It darted through the air nnd which sup ported It sufllclently to enable It to pass from tree to tree In graceful leaps. While such a method of progression Is called flying It Is simply becauw It resembles the net of flight , being , In reality , merely soaring. Illustrating the- principle of the pjrn- chute. The webs between tte toes of the frog against the wind and form a strong . ' resilience , as do the membranes that nro stretched between the rnys of the fln of the gurnard. The delicate skin that covers the false -rlba of the flying lizard alto buoys It up , preventing a too rapid fall , whllo the folds of loose skn | of the colugo when stretched to their fullest extent perform a similar ofllca for that Interesting animal. In all tliet < e In stances the plan Is one devised by nature to aid In escape and self-preservation , I'rnttli. of tin- The boy had been deep In thought for sev eral minutes , relates the Chicago Post. "Father , " he said at last , "It's wrong to flght. Isn't It ? " "Yes , my son , " replied the father , pleased o see that his lessons on that subject bad lot been wasted. "It's wrong to 'try ' to sottl ? disputed points > y resorting to force. Isn't It ? " continued ho1 boy. 4' "It is , Indeed , " returned the father. "Tho vhole tendency of modern civilization Is to do away with fighting of all descriptions. " . "Muscle doesn't count fofso. much now fas t i ed to , does 'It ? " "Xo , my boy. Physical prowess does not rank-'as lilsh''ds-mental ability In the world nday. " The boy asaln relapsed Into "thought for a ew minutes , apparently pondering his fa- her's words. "Then , of course , wo'ro.all for peace now , " he finally said. "Of course. Perfect peace Is the Ideal for which we strive now. " "And we should strive for that Ideal In private as well as in public affairs , shouldn't wo ? " "Always. " "That'a what I thought , " said the boy re flectively. "Don't you .think that wo have a good opportunity to apply it now ? " "In what way , my boy ? ' , ' "Why. let's arbitrate the question , of that licking thut ycu arc going to give mo after dinner. Everybody arbitrates now. " It was arbitrated. The financial editor was giving a little Sun day dinner to , a .number , cf hU Intlmato friends. It was rather an Informal affair and sonic of tie guests had brought their chil dren , for whom a separate table had been provided. During a lull In the conversation among the ciders 'tho drift of the little pee ple's talk was noticed. They wcrn talking of the merits and excellencies of lliolr respec tive parent ? , and the financial editor signaled to his guests'that they iihould listen "Children and some other pcoplcj you know , toll the truth,1' ho said blandly ; "let's hoar what they've to say nhout us. " A deeper sllonco followed this suggestion and' amid rtlllnesti that was drathly In Ita Inte.ni.ilty , the financial editor's youngest son remarked In shrill nnd childish treble , "Aw , but you Just ought to have eeen my papa ho ; ate hi whole dlth of puddln1 the other day In two gobs , " After which tho'Conversation among tha elders was resumed In an animated tone. The small Iny had a rostlesn , unh-appy look as be approached the young man who was calling on his t-lstor. "I wouldn't tell anybody but you about It , " ho said , confidentially , "About what ? " "About what'a happened to mo. Dut I thought you might help me. " "In what'w-iy ? " "Do you remember that llttlo bit of n goU watch my sister had ? " "Yes. " "I was fooling ; with It , and sister rota coming , and I put It In my mouth in keep her from seeing It , and the first thing I .knew . I swallowed It. " "How long ago ? " "This very Afternoon. If you put your cor down to my chest you can hear mo ticking Inside. " "You'd bettor have a doctor. " "Then I'd have to let the folks know. Sister ray * you have wheels In your head eomollmcs , and I thought mobbe you'd toll mo what to do for 'em an" that It might fit this care. " The following rtory Is told of a precocious llttlo girl of 10. She la the daughter of a well known lady of considerable charms , whom the family doctor was visiting for Influenza , Ho felt the pulio gravely and tenderly , hold ing her wrist after Uio orthodox manner of n ladli-V Ccctnr. as 'h < j pat beMdo her In the drawing room. An ho did > o he become aware that the child had her great Kravo eyes , full of Inquiry , fixed upon him. "You Uon't know what I'm doing ? " ad ! the medical man , lightly , to th young lady. "Ye I ilo , " was tlio portentously solemn reply. "You are making love to my mother ! " 31 * . , . * i IMJECTION BROU - ' ' . , 102 RUE RICHELIEU AfcirrUT fltttt : ° ' ' ' " " > * t oUilliul * , PERMANENT UUrCt 0 ( nonorrhoi-n and Qlect , Hiaranteed In from S to d y § : no other lr.alra.nt required , and without the naUKallny reiulli of rtoilng wllli Cutubii , Copaiba nd Buntnl Oil. J. Peiru A Co. ( nucceuor * to Ureu , I'JutmacItiis , f'arl * . fiald by all drucgUU. "
