Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, February 09, 1896, Editorial Sheet, Page 10, Image 10

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    10 THE OMAHA DAILY flfiEt SUNDAY , FHBKUABY 0 , 1800 ,
Joel Chandle
( Copyright. I'M , liy .TofI ciinnillrr Itnrrta. )
CHAPTER II. CONTINUE ! ) .
Aaron went Into the stable and came forth
fclth a duller. Th ! he throw on Tlmolcon's
head , pawing Ilia losso end over the horse's
neck and tying It In the'ring , thus forming
rolno for the rider to handle. Then he
folded n heavy blanket four times , placed
It on the horse's back , and strapped It down
with a turclncle.
"Not too tight not lee tlsht , son of Hen
All , " said Tlmoleon , backing his cars a little.
"Now , then , for a ride , " said Aaron , turnIng -
Ing to the children.
"Oh , I'm afraid , " cried Sweetest Susan.
"Mamma would bo angry. "
"Try him here , In thelot , " suggested
Aaron to Hiislor John ,
Now Duster John was a pretty peed rider
for a youngster , mid was somewhat proud
of the fact. He had even helped to break
a young mule to the Diddle. So , after a little-
persuasion , ho allowed Aaron to lift him
to Tlmoleon's back.
"Easy , now , " said Aaron.
The black utallloii stepped proudly off.
From a swinging walk hu broke Into an
easy cairtcr , which soon fo.'cnme a Bringing
gallop. Deforo ho lnul gone around the
field Muster John had lost all fear , nnd from
his gently undulating seat waved his hand
gayly to Svyectest Susan.
"Oh , I wlfh I could go , toot" she ex
claimed , cUpping her hands ,
"Why not , little missy ? " paid Aaron. "I
have seen you riding1 the gray pony without
a saddle. "
"Out he Is ns gntlo as a dog , " explained
Sweetest Susan.
"Why , so Is Tlmoleon , " replied Aaron. "Try
llni. ; I will run beside him to cntcli you
If you fall. I'll not run far before you say
'gti back. ' "
Iy this time Tlmoleon came sweeping up
to where , they stood and atopped. Duster
John's face fairly glowed with the delight
ho felt.
"Well , " said Sweetest Susan , unable to re
sist the temptation. "Well , I'll go , but It 1
" '
fall p
Deforo she could finish what she had to
my the strong armo of Aaron had lifted her
to a neat behind Duster John.
"How can you fall ? " nsked the hold
youngster. "Hold fast to me. Put your arms
around me , and when you fall lot mo know. "
"You didn't talk that way Just now , " said
Sweetest Susan. To this Duster John made
no reply. Aaron stood beside the black
stallion and stroked his neck.
"Grandson of Abdullah , show mo what
you are. this day. OHCU around the Held and
then to the lane gate. "
The horse took three long strides forward
and then broke Into a canter as before.
Aaron ran beside Tlmoleon a little way , one
hand on Sweetest Susan's dhow to give
her confidence , but ho soon saw that she
had lost all fear , nnd so , still running , he
WMil to the gate that opened In the lane
nnd threw It back and stood there. The
blsck stallion , going In a steady gallop' ,
swept around the Held , and then came toward
the gate. The children were laughing.-
"Don't forgot , grandson of Abdallah. You
ktiow my hand ! " This was Aaron's last
warning as Tlmoleon went through the gate.
The son of Den All watched horse and riders
for a few moments. Then ho closed the
goto nnd ran swiftly through the lot , going
lov.nrd the head , of the avenue that led to
the big ! house. fc The lane , half n mile In
length , led oblltiuely away from the. house
nnd Jroin the avenue , until Itjolncd the pub
lic road. From that point , turning squarely ,
to the left , the distance to the avenue gate
was about a mile. From the stable to the !
avenue .gate , thrpugh the spring lot the.
way Aaron went war ) not quite half a mile.
"If I go too fast , grandson of the White-
haired Master , " said Tlmoleon , as they
turned Into the public road , "touch me on
the shoulder. And don't bo frightened when
I lift my head and tell the fools I am com
ing. "
As they came In sight of the negro quar
ters Tlmoleon raised his head high In the air
and neighed shrilly three times In quick suc
cession. It sounded like a challenge to man
and beast. That plantation had heard It
many times before , and It had always been
the forerunner of t > omo display of savagery
on the part of the black stallion sometimes
a negro run down and trampled , sometimes
a mule or a cow crippled ; but always some
thing. The sound of It was always heard
with dltimay , except by Aaron.
It was nowonder , therefore , that the
negroes came out of their cabins with alarm
painted on their fa ceu. It was no wonder
they stood transfixed when they saw the
horse flying along vhij road. MB thick
inane whipping the wind , with the two chil
dren on his back. They had. no time to ad-
iiiIro the strength and symmetry of the
horss , and yet he prc.'ontcd a beautiful sight ;
liln flossy neck arched , hit ) long mane en
veloping the children as In a cloud , the undu-
lallons of his magnificent form , and his mvlfl
movements the perfection of grace.
Onea more , as he thundered acroai the
bridge that spanned the stream leading , from
the spring , the black stnlllon screamed forth
his note of defiance , A man coming along
the road went over the fence as nimbly as
a FQulrrol. Cows grazing- the fields near
Ui9 roadsldo hoisted llielr tails In the air
and .ran off to the woods. The mules In the
horse lot ran around aimlessly and then
huddled thomsovels together In a corner.
The gray pony went scampering through
the- peach orchard , hunting a place of
safety.
Then the cry went up from the negro
quarters , "Tlmoleon'8 loose ! Tlmoleon's
loose ! " . The cry was echo ° d at the big
house. The children's father laid down the
hook he was reading * nnd wont out upon the
veranda , followed directly by his wife. The
grandfather rose from his easy chair ( and
joined them. They heard the tremendous
clatter of hoots on the hard road and the
screaming of the stallion. They saw Aaron
running up the avenue , followed by Dnisllla.
Calamity ecnniPd to have swooped down upon
theplantation. . A negro woman , bolder
than Ilia rest , , had managed to run to the
big house. She rushed through It , without
regard for ceremony.
dem blessed chlllun I"
Shu wanted to say were riding the run
away. Bullion , but she sank to the- floor ,
speechless.
" 0 , my children ! my children ! wbcro are
my precious children ? " cried the mother.
At that moment Anron reached the Avenue
Kato , opened It wide , nnd the blaclt stal
lion cantered through It , and came galloping
"down " the drive.
"I see the children , " said the whlto-halrcd
grandfather. "They are safe. They have
been giving Tlmoleon his exercise. See !
they are laughing nnd waving tholr hands ! "
The mother looked , but the sight seemed
to terrify ' her so that she covered her face
with h'er hands. Only for a moment , how
ever. Slio looked again , thinking they were
wringing their hands and crying for help.
Hut , lie ! th y were really laughing. jn
front of the yard gate there- was an orna-
mnntal- circle , filled with neatly IrlmmeJ
boxwood , privet and acacia buahes. Coming
to thl clrcl ? , Tlmoleon turned to the right
atj'l galloped around It , the children waving
their hands to their mother , father and
Riandfuther. With his waving imno and
Slowing tall , hU arched and shining neck , and
ills graceful movcmentu , the lior o presented
u gpCTtacle long to be remembered.
"Why. they are riding him with n halter -
tor ! " ciled the father , taking frcih alarm.
"How many llmea have I told you he Is
the tsejitlesl horse I over know ? " sighed
the grandfather. "Ah , what a magnificent
cieaturo ho Is ) What a pity he U penned
onthis plantation ! "
Three times around the circle Time-loan
galloped , and then wheeled toward the gate
that led to the stable lot. The children
waved u mock farewell to the mill nston-
letted spectators , who , itandlng en the vu-
randa. heard Tlmoleon go clausing to Ilia
rear o ! thu hcute.
The mother recovering from htr fright ,
whlnu was Kvrltnu , been PUD very angry , ami
this wa cot nertoui at all.
"ILat la Aaron's work , " ibe cried , "and
the children shall never go about him "nv
more. "
"Aaron will thank you , It you'll stick to
your word , " said the grandfather. "I bought
Aaron fifteen year * ago , and I have never
had occasion to undo anything he has over
done. I owe him a debt of gratitude that
I could never repay If I were to live a thou
sand years , "
"I know , father I know , " replied the
ch'ldren's ' mother , more gently. "Hut he
gave mo a terrible fright just now. "
Tlmoleon galloped to his stable and stood
them waiting for Ai'ron. Sweetest Susan ,
holding to Duster John's hand , slid to the
ground , and then Duster John followed cult.
"You might lake the halter off , little one , "
said Tlmoleon , and ho held his head so tint
the youngster could unbuckle the strap. Then
the horse began to graze as contentedly as
any farm animal. Presently Aaron came
with n bucket of cold water from the spring.
Tlmoleon burled his nnso. In It , drank his
fill , and then washed Ills mouth by sucking
up the water and letting It run out over
his tongue and U'cth. Then the blanket was
removed and the grandson of Abdallah
( . ( retched himself on the w < irm grass and had
a goal wallow. After that Anron rubbed him
off thoroughly , gave him a' bill of oats , and ,
whllo he ate , went over his silky co.it with
a currycomb mid brush , whittling all the
while In a peculiar way.
CHAPTER HI.
OniSTLK , THE QUAY PONY , DEGINS HIS
STOUY.
Tho' ride on Tlmoleon , which was an ex
citing bno from start to finish , was enough
fun for the children for one day. They
sought no other amusement. When they had
s > ecn Aaron feed and groom the horse they
went to the big house , where they knew the
ride had created a sensation , There , In
answer to numberless questions asked by
ous character , and BO Mr. Gospclt declared
that ho was going to. tame him.Gassetl
was a much younger man than ho Is now ,
and about as reckless -as any ono In the
country. I remember he said something ) n
4 light way that made little Crotchet an
gry , and the lad spurred the gray pony at
him and would have rode h'.in down but
for me. " , . , „ ,
"Wai he riding the gray pony , grand
father ? " asked Duster John.
"Yes , " replied the old gentleman , with a
algh ; "yoi , the gray pony. It was fifteen
yeurs ago , but It seems but yesterday. "
The grandfather was illent after that , and
the children said no more. They went to
bed when hedtlmo came , but not before
Durter John had made up his mind to rise
bright aud early the next morning and call
on the gray pony. Ho told Sweetest Siuan
and Dnisllla of Ills plan , aud they said they
were anxious to go , too. So It was arranged
tliut the housemaid should wako them when
she cameIn from the quarters.
ThU wns done , and to the surprise of
everybody whoso business It was to bo up
early , the children sallied forth a little
after sunrise. They went Into the orchard ,
burling for th gray pony , liefore they
had gone far , a rabbit jumped up right at
their fo'-'t , ran off a little distance , anJ
then bat up and looked at them ,
"He's very much Ilka Mr. Rabbit , " laid
Sweetest Butan ,
"He's lots bettor lookln' , " remarked Dru-
Jllla , who had never forgiven Mr , Rabbit
fur mistaking her for the Tnr Daby ,
Whllo they wore standing there looking
at the rabbit , Sneotttt Sur.au lifted her
nuntU suddenly and utteied an exclamation
tl < at startled Butter John ami nriullU. anil
sent the rabbit scurrying off through the
ssdgo.
"What Is the matter ? " askcJ Iltister John.
"Oh , today Is Sunday ! " cried Sweetest
Susan.
"Why , of course It Is Sunday , " said Dtistor
John. "What of It ? Is It- any harm to
walk thrrtiph an old peach orchard hunting
for a pony ? "
"No-o-o , " replloJ Sweetest Susah , hesi
tatingly.
"What Is the matter , then ? "
"Nothing. I had forgotten It was Sun
day , and Just happened to think about It , "
Swcctc-st Susan replied , demurely.
Going forward and looking about the or
chard the children scon saw the gray pony
grazing In a fence corner at the further
side. As they went toward him , the gray
pony saw them nnd began to move away ,
brcklng his ears and showing slg-ns of Irri
tation ,
"heave me alone. " said the pony. "I don't
want to run through these briars and scratch
myself. Go away. I don't want to see
yon. "
"Walt , " cried nustcr John ; "I want to
talk to you. "
"Shucks and smutty nubbins ! " exclaimed
the pony. "You can hardly talk to your
selves. All you can do Is to throw rocks and
poke sticks ut me through the fence , Go
away , I might accidentally hurt , you , I
wouldn't be wrry If I did , but they'd Bind
mo off to the river place , and I don't want
to go there and get cockle-burrs In my mane
and tall. "
"Dut I can talk to you , " persisted Duster
John. "I can understand everything you
say. "
The gray pony tossed his head contemptu
ously. "Go'off go off. Yonder'com'es Aaron
the son of Den All will make you let me
alone. "
SEE TIJEY1 ARE LAUGHING AND WAVING- THEIR , HANDS. . ,
their mother , they , told a part-of the story
- > f their ride. 'They sojd nothing about hear-
i mg TlrnoleoTT talk. fey theyImew that not
even their'granflfather would" believe that
part of the story. Out they told all about
the rldt ? how swiftly and "how easily the
the horse went and' how gcntls he was.
Duster John was , of courts , quite a liero
and Sweetest Susan shared all the honors
with him.
The children's mother had more than half
a notion to read them a lecture , but the
whltchalrcd grandfather protested against
this. Ho said the youngsters were per
fectly safe hi Aaron's"care. " He declared ho
didn't want to see boyo play the part of
girls , nor girls act like dolls. Then he be
gan to talk about Little Crotchet , who- bad
been so fond of Aaron. It was curious to
the children to hear the whltchalrcd
grandfather talk of their uncle ( whom they
hand never seen ) , as though ho were a little
linv
"It seems but yesterday , " said the old
gentleman , with a gentle sigh , that ended
In a Mnlle , " that Little Crochet was hob
bling through the house , on his
crutches , or scahmporlng about Die neighbor
hood on the gray pony. Dut the gray pony
Is grazing-out there In the orchard and Little
Crotchet has been dead tliese- fifteen years.
If ho were alive 'now he would be 29 years
old. "
The old gentelman fell to musing and sat
silent for a little * while. Then ho went on ,
as If talking to himself.
"And I am 73 , and Aarnn Is 40 , and , let
mo see , the pony la IS , and Tlmoleon 17.
All getting old. "
"Uncle Crotchet wasn't always crippled ,
was he grandfather , " asked Sweetest Susan.
"Oh , no , " replied the old gentleman. "Un
til lie was 7 years old hevan as healthy
a child as I ever saw. Then ho was sud
denly taken 111 and lay In his bed for
months. After that bo was never able to
walk without crutches" , Twenty-nine years
old ! Why , he'd bo a man grown. As It
Is , ho Is still a llttlo boy. I remember , "
the grandfather continued , becoming remin
iscent , "when hi > wanted mo to buy
Aaron. Prom the- very first the two' had a
fancy to each other. Aaron came from
Virginia * In a speculator's caravan. Ho be
came so unmanageable ho had to bo
sold , Llttlo Crotchet begged mo to buy
him , but I stood Joking -with the little fel
low , and before I knew It. our neighbor
across the creek had bought him. "
"Old Mr. OoaiCtt ? " Inquired Duster John.
"Yes , " replied the grandfather. "Mr ,
Gossett bought Aaron. Little Crotchet was
so distressed about It that I offered Mr.
Gossett halt as much more for Aaron than
ho had given , Dut , ho refused It. Then I
offeredMilm twice as much' and ho refuse !
that , and , I , didn't v feel able to glvo any
more. "
"Why wouldn't Mr. Gossott Dili Aaron ? "
asked Duster Jolm. . , ' , 'I've hoard he's very
( ond"of money. " - '
"lib's a queer man , " , responded the grand
father ; "hard In some things and clover
enough In others' ' . Ho- had heard the spec-
iiintnr s.iv Hint Anrnn was a vcrv danirer-
IU2
Sure cnpugfr , Aaron was comingdown the-
orchardi'path with a bucket o.fi Vrau > Pres
ently he called the gray p'dny. "Conic ,
Gristle , come. " „ „ ,
The pony kicked up his heels , , phook hU
head , and went galloping toward Aoran ait
hard as ho could go. When the children
came up to where tlio pony was eating his
bran , they found tilm disputing with Auron.
If the children didn't know how to talk to
him day before yesterday , how could they
talk now ? That'n what he'd like to know.
"Gristle , listen. If you didn't have thlo
bran-mash < jn hour ago , how can , .you bo
sticking your nose In It now ? That's what
I'd like to know. "
The pony snorted so hard that ho blow the
wet bran all around. "How did they Icurn
to talk to us ? " ho asked.
"They have been touched , " replied Aaron. .
"Well , " said the gray pony , "that changes
things. That , alters the case. I'h eorry I
abused them. Dut that boy there hasn't
been very good to me. I've son no like
Llttlo Crotchet. Isaw them riding th ?
black rtalllon yesterday. How was that ? "
"Haven't I told youf Gristle. They have
boa ntouehod. , They have the , sign. "
"I see , " responded the gray pony. "That
changes things. That alters the case. Dut
what do they want with mo ? "
"They can answer for themselves , ' Gristle.
They are here. "
"Why , we wanted you to tell 113 about the
time when my Uncle Crotchet asked grand
father to buy Undo Aaron. "
The pony drew away from the bucket of
wet bran and looked at thq children. Then
he Igokod , ' 'well ' "
at Aaron ! he snorted ,
"how do they know ? "
Aaron laughed and poritcd ! toward the big
house. They hoard It there from the w'hlte-
nalrcd master. They arc. our friends , Gristle.
They know the sign. " , * '
i "That alters the. case.said the gray pony
for the third time , "but .the story Is a long
one. "Today. Is the day whop you get In the
carriage and go where the talking man lives.
I used to carry the llttlo , master th'ere one
day In every week from the time ho could
ride. " .
"Ho moans * , o preaching , " explained Aaron ,
and the explanation made the children laugh.
. "Come" tomorrow , " said the ' gray pony ;
"then everybody will bo at work , and we
Khali have no one to bother us. " '
Aaron thought that this was a good Idea ,
and at his suggestion the children agreed to
It , though not with a very good grace ; to
morrow seemed to be so far off.
Dut the time rolled on on the plantation as
It did elsewhere , and some tlmo during the
night , when the children were fast asleep and
snoring , may be , tomorrow became today.
After breakfast , when they had gene over
their lessons with their grandfather , who
taught them to amuse himself , they went out
and found the gray pony , carrying him some
green corn. .
"Now , I like that , " said the- pony , switchIng -
Ing his tall vigorously , "I've had a bad
taste. In my mouth all day. and this green
corn will driveIt away. " Ho munched
at It a llttlo whllo , looking at the children
occasionally , and then began :
"I was very /ond of the llttlo master from
the first. The whito-halred master found
me In a drove of mules and horses In a pen In
town. Wo had traveled hundreds of miles ,
and though I was young and tough , I was
very stiff and tired. Hut the drover cracked
his whip , separated mo from the reJt , and ran
mo to a corner of the pen , where I stood
trembling , because I did not know what mo
ment the lash would crack 'on my back , as It
had cracked many times , beforo. The white-
haired master his hair was as gray as mine
even then held the llttlo master In his arms ,
and when they came near I stood still and al
lowed the little follow to pat my back and
stroke my neck. The llttlo master cried :
Father , buy him I llko him. '
"That was enough. A negro came and put
a halter on mo , and led me from the pen ,
Soon some one brought a brldla and then
a small saddle. After a whllo the little
master was placed an my back , and aomo
ono handed him two heavy sticks , I was
alarmed at first , fearing I was to ba beaten
with them , but when I flinched the little
master stroked my nock , and I had no moro
fear , The sticks he carried along to help
him along over tbo ground when he was
not riding , and he used them nimbly ,
"So wo came home and grew to know each
other. In cold weather I had a warm stable
to real In , and a heavy blanket to sleep under.
In pleasant weather I had cool water twice a
day and young corn and creen barley , I'eo-
plo used to say ho rode mo too hard at times ,
but It was not 10 , It waa a pleasure to him
nnd no harm to mo ,
"One < ! av thera came to him from far
away teacher yoting man with brown
hair and bluf Ms and for a time the Llt-
tlo Mauler , jva ' .troubled. Ho had n ? desire -
sire to nit Jfl' Ilia house for hours and do
nothing butH > c'aa In the books , I used to
watch for wm , through the fence , and he
was very pjcqmt ( mlecd when ho found thit
I knew hlsVo , fce from the rest and would
follow him sabo'ul without brldlo or haltor.
I mlfed lilrti wlVen the teacher came , and I
nsoil'to go Ip JLtie fpnca and call him.
"Dut I missed him only a day or two.
The teacher'was a wlsa young man and ho
soon saw that If the little master was to
\ > s taught Jtj ltlio | , teaching must go on
In the cpcn air , with no more b-oks to
bother with thia ha could carry In one hand.
So It came to .piss ! that every day the llt
tlo master yo'uld'call for me , nnd then wo
would go on 'long Journeys through the
wooJs and fields , life teacher walking with
lliO
"Sometimes the teacher would carry books ?
In his Innd , , but ho carrlo.1 moro In his
head. He 'was ' wise. Ho knew the poison
ous plants and vines almcst as well as I
dIJ , and 1 use-.l to wonder how he found
them out , not Having to oil them. This
went on'whenever the weather was-pleas
ant , and 1 heard the teacher from far away
siy to the llttlo master that ho was learnIng -
Ing a great dwl more of the tilings that
were In the beaks than If ho were shut up
In a tight room with the bosks Jhemtulve. .
If I could have remembered all I heard I ube
bo pretty > . \ell eauc.ite.l myself.
hear..tho
. I
"One morning I was fed early.
white-haired master ,
-
nrrrc-cs sav that the
tl0K 0KlUtle 0K mas cr and the teacher were going
to town. It was 63urt week , they said. The
judge and Jury were going to sit and punish
men for being moiner than the animals. I
thought It was very funny. Dut I ate my
breakfast with a better nppstltc. because I
know that none of my kith and kin were to
be hauled up before the Judge and Jury for
cheating and swindling and drinking and
KI > '
" to town , the little master and
I. The white-haired master and the teacher
rode In the buggy. We kept with them a
llttlo way , but the weather was flue and the
roads were good , and after nwhllo the llttlo
master gave'me the'rein , which I haJI been
asking for for oven so long , and Icantered _
forward , leaVlng the .buggy far behind and
" "
"Vcanfered h'll and
on In Ibis way up
down hill. , for It was ns easy na walking
until we came nearly to town. Then sud
denly the little master reached forward and
touched mo on the-shoulder. It was a way
ho had of warning me. Wo were coming tea
a point where- another road Ud into ours ,
and It wns w'ell the little master warned
mo when he did.Else when I saw what I
did I should htvvo given a atari that would
v * unseated him. for right before me. com
ing slowly Into our road , was a train pi
hugo wagons , ccvc'red with white cloth.
Thrre were'Jh'o wagons , each pulled by two
mules. In' front of the foremost wagon n
flic of ncgroeavwofr marching , two by two.
There must have been forty odd In all. At
first I thought they were pulling the wagon ,
for there was afloat rope reaching from tne
end of the wagon' ' tongue to the foremost
nesro of the illo. and ( he end was fastened
to his waist ; flh each side of this rope the
other negroes' walked , and I soon saw that
every one was handcuffed to the rope.
( To Do Continued. )
COXXU'J ! YMTIIJS.
William Trafncr' ' 'of Portsmouth. O. , bor
rowed a teafti"of Imrses to elope with n Miss
Williams , bnf thc Jowner of thehoracs Inter
posed and Dill was hustled to Jail and the-
weddlng po tppjie-
Mrs. Ella Krybarger of Shelbyvllle , 111. ,
a widow , fnlr.-awl 40. and of largo means ,
broke the winter dullness of the town by
clop'ng to $ lu village of Tower Hill laot
week and margins John Bollard , her hostler ,
aged only 2f.1
In the fourteenth century a fashion came
Inlo vogue In prance , Spain and Italyof"
two wedding rings being used In the- mar
riage ceremony' . . .they word connected by a
chain , and ohe'w'as placetorl ) the finger of
the bride , thk oilier 'onliat Of the groom.
Dy all ojicoun'is the 'young duke1 and
duchess of Mariba'rough are exhibiting on al
most amusing ilevotlon to one another. Llk
Mr. Blake AnT his bride In Mr. Gilbert's
ballad , they'.appear to spend all' ' th'clr time
, IpVpc ueSf" J , , , . , . . . . i
Mr. and ftfrs. Szatlnnary , Zspmbolyr ,
Hungary , recently celebrated the qno hun-
dreth anniversary , of their marriage. They
should be authority on Ihp Tennysonlan
'
sentiment , ' 'Bptter' ' , fifty- , years of Europe ,
than a cycle of Cathay , " , since they have
tried it twice. , . ,
Ex-United States Senator and Mrs. R. E.
Withers of Virginia celebrated thoJr. golden
wedding last Monday , and at the same' tlmo
tholr youngest daughter , Miss Virginia Ce-
Ecsslon Withers , was married to John G.
Terry , a son of General William Terry -of
Virginia. The marriage of the younger
couple possesses more than the ordinary
amount of romance generally attached to
such affairs. The ex-senator is now 75.years
of age. *
Ex-Presldedt Harrison In his Intention of
laklng lo hImE'pJtra ' Ssecond life partner seems
to have set tlto pace for all the old gallants.
Now Dame Rumor , who first gets ont all
these love affalrsivls connecllng Ihe name
of Chauncey.M / Depew wllh that of a
moi't ' charrnlngf maiden.- ' -all reports arc
true the gifted'railway p'resldent and prince
of after-dlnncrT talkers Is deeply smitten ,
too. The lady , of .his' choice has not seen
as many summers nor winters as has Gen
eral Harrlsojx'a.affianced. Instead of 40 and
over she is-reported to be uo.t qulte 18. In
Dr Dopew's caks also his relatives are kept
real busy' In , , their efforts 'to prevent a
match. '
A well-preserved old couple are Mr. and
Mrs. H. Howard Smith of Gouveneur. N. Y. ,
who recently celebrated the 70th anniversary
of their marrhfge. Mr. Smllhfwas born In
Ihe year 1800md his wlfo Is'six years his
Junior. Bopiwere bcrn In Vermont , but
went to Goiiverneur when they were young.
They now flhd'lt difficult to hear easily. Oth
erwise their "faculties are exceedingly .well
preserved. ,0f thelwo , , Mr. Smith Is perhaps
In the betler health. Although ho uses
glasses , ho 'can read fine print without them ,
nnd often dees. Few , Indeed , are the cou
ples who are abla to observe their 70th mar
riage , anniversary together.
An eld couple , both past 70 years of age ,
were remarried In HollandMch. ! . , a few days
ago -.under remarkable circumstances * They
were1 first married In that place half n cen
tury"ago. . In 1854 'the ' husband , Czar Gld-
dlngs brother 'of ex-Governor Glddlngs of
New Mexico , we"nl to California , Intending to
send for Ills wlfo and family to Join him
when his circumstances pormltled , The couple -
plo corresponded regularly for three or four
years and then-serious financial reverses dis
heartened Mr. Glddlngs and he ceased to
wrlla to his wlfe'v She , after waiting several
years , procured1 a divorce , by advice of her
father , In order that he might give- her a
house In her own-name. She never remar
ried. Glddln'gs" fortunes took a turrt for Iho
better , and he1' adcftlred considerable wealth.
He learned of'tho'HIIvorco and married a Cal
ifornia womarl. Ins second wife died fifteen
years ago. A feW' weeks ago Glddlngs re
turned to Ml fllgan1 hunted up his first wlfo ,
and \vcf6"hiarrled. . ' '
Arthur'Orlmom In Leslie's Weekly ,
Lo ! hero liJgrtandma , Jusl stepped down
From themlcture on the wall ,
Dressed Inhfruinous | wedding gown ,
To uttendnllwi-faney ball !
No wrinkloTHiarJi her dear , HW9et face ,
She lookap'wltw-cheeks ' ng ow ,
Just ns she -liAWed , In pearls anl lace ,
Seventy jt lira sgo !
No w'ondeiu's ' oaa worshiped then i
In nil th(3 ( < coHmry--sldo !
No wondenlttonta were broken when
She woroiUjIfl-gowri , a bride !
And , oh ! i < # mM she's Just ns fair
As when stoSypro It BO.
With glrdlcflrwaist and powdered hair.
Seventy years ago !
The gntln. oncVs of spotless white ,
la yellowed'with the years :
The veil that fell In folds of light
Is stained , but not wllh tears ;
For grandma's life was one long May ,
As free from 111 and wop
As was her perfect wedding day ,
Seventy years ago.
Tonight , In all her youth and grace ,
For all to praise that face ,
The old love-llBht upon her face.
She comes to dance with me.
Ah rose so llko the parent ( lower !
F\ill soon our love shall know
The Joy that crowned her bridal hour ,
Seventy years ago !
IIucklcn'M Arulcu Salve.
The post salve In the world for cuts ,
bruises , sores , ulcers , salt rheum , fever sores ,
tetter , chapped bands , chilblains , corns and
all skin eruption * , and positively cures piles ,
or no pay required. It Is guaranteed to glvo
perfect satisfaction or money refunded. Price
25 ccnU per box. For sale by Kuhn fc. Co ,
I.
( Copyright , 1S9C , My the Author. )
Ills father wnb known an Jenkyn , or , from
his trade , "Jenkyn , the Smith , " and his
forefathers had been for generations vll-
Iclns , or serfi' , In the prcud family of le
Mountchesnoy. Within the walled Inclosuro
of Mountchcsney castle stalwart Jenkyti ,
girt about with leathern apron , sharpened
the swords and shod the liort'c-j of the Iron
barons who were tils lords. Ho was a skill
ful workman In all known metals and when
King Edward came on a royal progress to
visit the llaron do Mountchcsney It was
Jonkyn the Smith who fashioned for him
the ellver cup of presentation. One can
I Icture him'01111 thin huge man , wllh brown
skin and fearless blue eyes hammering
from matlns'lo curfew In the llttlo watllcil
smithy under the frowning ramparts of the
castle. Much thought of by hto masters was
Jenkyn , so that when ho was o'aln In an
attack upon the castle by the fierce Welsh
men , the baron cf thews days took little
John , the dead smith's child , and set him
free. To bo a villein was lo bo pracllcally a
slave , but a freedrnan could draw wages and
ilso even to be a master bowman and fight
In foreign wars.
It happened , however , thai llltle John , being
an orphan , was " reared from babyhood In the
castle llself" mid became the humble play
mate of young Hanulph do Moiinlchesney ,
the baron's only son. Whan Friar Francis ,
that right learned man , taught Ranulph the
Small tlmo was losl In making ready , and
In less than a week all Iho forces of Ihe
baron , saving only a email garrison , were
ready In Iho castle courtyard. It was a
goodly sight to see all those mailed knights ,
gaudy squires and pages , bowmen , spears-
men and bearers of the sword assembled
around their chief.
"Hanulph , " said the old baron to his
son , "thou art but a boy ; but at thy ago
Mountchesneys begin to bo men , Thou thalt
accompany me as my page. "
Llttlo Ranulph was delighted and
mounted his Jingling Jennet In high glee ,
with a poniard In his girdle and a falcon's
feather in his cap. Dut poor John Smith
stood alone and deserted , looking the very
piclure of woe. How he longed lo go forlh
lo war as well !
"Goodbye , Johnnykln , " quolh Hanulph.
"Why look so ead ? "
"Lord llanulph , " whispered John , "ask
your father to let mo go .with him to
France. I will tramp all Iho way
afool. "
llanulph , being a kindly boy , asked ac
cordingly , but the baron laughed In derision ,
Flinging the disappointed Jad a sil
ver token , ho gave Iho signal for the
inarch , The trumpet sounded , down banged
next night , only to be discovered by one of
bis enemies , the bowmen , and carried before
Iho baron.
At first do Mountchcsney was terribly
angry , and talked about whipping and turnIng -
Ing adrift ; bul a good dinner Improved his
Icinper , and he began lo admire Iho lad's
ccurago and determination , Finally ho said :
'Well , sirrah , your father made my good
sword ; and for his sake , and thai of my
ion Ilanulpu , I'll o'en pardon you. You shall
go lo France after all , as page lo Ranulph
page's page , save the mark. I'll buy
you a Jennet when wo como to Dover. "
So great wax John's Joy that only the
sight of a rabbit pastry reminded him of
his woeful hunger.
III.
U wax the day before tbo great fight of
Crecy ; nnd thotp were many skirmishes be
tween the valiant troops of Franco and
these of England , Among these few were
moro bruited about than that ( if Iho Forgo of
Fautrrc. Vent will doubtless find the itc-
count of that wonderful bit of war In Iho
glorious pages of Frolssart. Stilt , there can
ha no harm In telling of John Smith's part
therein.
The English host had hardly wakened , and
the chanticleers which foragers had left In
the neighboring birnynnU had crown bul
Iwlce or ihrlco when a. party of
frollcsrme pages Rtolo out of the camp
and made Its way along the prattling Vcvny
rivulet ( ah , the dear Vovayt 1 wish you and
I cjuld flph there , ns I have so often fished ) .
They soon roicheJ the forse of Faultcc , do-
dojcrtcd by Iho smith on the approach of
tlio nnglli'h. and , sUtlng down en Iho grassy
blopo , began to munch bread and cheese Just
ay though they had been In a Drlllsh meadow
many miles from danger.
Uatiulph do Mounlcliesnoy waa there , and
with him John Smith. The other pngos had
objected to the Jailer's presence , Ilumpliioy
Dolitin In particular calling him a "base
kitchener. " Dut Kanulph stood by lilu
"pago , " and nt last John wns allowed to go
with them as a sort of servant.
Hreakfasl over , tlio boys Inyprctcd the dc-
sorled forgo. All Ihe appliances were Ihere ,
Jusl as tlio smith had left them , nnd Hum
phrey Holiun suggested Jlblngly that ho
wliow nnino was Smith should starl the
smithy going. John , always obliging , con
sented , and soon , with the merry iroop's ay-
slptanco , ho had the fuinace nllghl and Iho
bellows going. A3 In moat mediaeval
smithies , there was a draw-woll In the cor
ner , nnd bcslda they found some old plkeu
and speira , evidently left nomnii in tnci
smith's hasty flight. Tlioso they amused
themselves by heating and hammering Into
fantasllo shapes , while Jolm was given per
mission lo cal his breakfast , now that his
betters had done. Ho proceeded to do to ,
bul ere the first morsel had pasaul his lips
ho riirhod wildly back to tlio forge.
"Gentlemen , the .enemy ! " ho shcaitcd.
"Tho French re coming. "
It was only too true. Up the slope from
the sparkling Vovay came fully thirty French
halberdiers , evidently bent on capturing the
Inmates of the forge. Instantly nil the pages
forgot their frolic. Despite their natural
the drawbridge nnd Iwo by Iwo , horse nnd
foot , the kinsmen and followers of the Lord
do Mountchcsnoy' went forth to war.
List of all came six heavy sumptor mule ? ,
carrying sacks of provisions and the like.
Aa they passed over the creaking bridge
the two old retainers who guided them little
dreamed that one of the sacks contained a
load no less unusual than a live boy. The
boy was Jolm Smith. Spumed by the baron ,
ho had seen thu muloo standing In a dark
corner of the courtyard , and Instantly de-
"YOU AHE MY PAGE HENCEFORTH. "
elements of scholarship , John sat by with
wide open blue eyes and absorbed all lhat
wont on. Gradually the friar began to teach
him , too ; so that It came to pass that the
smith's heir learned as much as did the
bron's. Out of doors , too , ho found his op-
pcrtimitles ; and few of his age could shoot
a longer or slralghler shaft lhan ho. Tin
freemen about the castle , whose sires had
been freedmen , not villeins , grumbled might
ily at all these doings ; and their grumblings
came to the ears of the old baron.
Said they : "Shall a boy without even a
surname , whose fathcr'-wati * a serf , clerk It
and hunt It whllo our children must wail
uplll their fathers die to carry their bows
and broadswords ? "
Then the baron was wroth , and answered ;
"This' boy hath my son chosen to bo his
servant. His Eire was a faithful servant tome
mo , and worth a dozen lazy bowmen. If ho
hath no name we will glvo htm one , , He
shall be called John Smith , after tbo trade
of his father. "
And "John Smith" the boy was called ,
as are called so many of his descendants
today. Whereupon the bowman and others
shrugged their leather-covered shoulJcrs , ray
ing : "Let It be so. .Strive as he may , ho
can never rite higher than master bowman
and only thai when old and gray. "Dut
they had not reckoned on John Smith , first
of his dynasty
II.
Ono day the beacon flaring from hill lo
hill told all England lhat his grace Ihe
king had gone lo war.
Instantly every baron arose , donned his
armor and made ready to take Ibe field ,
Then couriers came spurring lo every castle -
tlo gate end "ono among the rest to that
of the Mountchesncys idling of an Inva
sion of Franco , and summoning all and sun
dry lo meet the Dlack Prince In his camp
at Dover.
termlncd upon a scheme worthy of the
mingled Celtic and Saxon blo-d from which
ho sprang. Opening ono sack and letting
forth the oats It contained , he crept within ,
drawing Ihe. neckstrlng to from within and
culling a few airholes wllh his dagger. He
wanlcd to go lo the wars at all hazards
and In this manner to the wars ho went.
John Smith bore up brayely against
cramp , hunger and thirst for a good tlilrty-
fC'ur hours In his 'trango saddlo. Dut on
the eve of the second day , while the , party
were encamped for the night by the royal
town of Windsor , ho managed lo slip oul of
his sack and go on a foraging ( our. Thin
proved so successful lhat ho tried It again
courage and , high blood , Iho surprise com
pletely destroyed all presence of mind. Ejch
locked at the other , white-faced and unable
to move. Nearer came thij halberdiers.
Tl'cn up spake John Smith , and he spake
with a will.
"Shut to and bolt the door , " ho said. The
spell was broken. A dozen boys rushed to
obey his order , "Now up with the anvil
against It , " was his next command , and this
also Ihey obeyed. The door was barricaded.
"Lord Ranulpb. " said John , "you are
quick afool , Crawl Ihroiigh Iho chimney hole
In Ihe roof , and run and bring ns aid. We
will hold Ihe force against the French. "
Eager hands hoisted Ranulph through the
hole which permitted the escape of &moko ,
and hoard him drop to the earth at the back
of the smithy. Dy this tlmo the butt of
a halbied was banging against the door and
a French voice demanded admittance. Dut
Jchn Smith had placed a great pot flllod with
water from the well above Iho roaring fur
nace ; and while. II was boiling ho had
crept oul upqn Die roof , and , leaning over ,
thrown the still healed end of one of Iho
old pikes Into the French below. A houl
of auguUh was the result , followed , after
a brief pause , by a general rush against the
door. Dut the stout oak. zunnortcd hv tlia
Iron anvil , held firm as yet. Two boys now
aided John Smith upon the roof , and Hung
hot Iron brands , passed up from below , Into
the halberdiers.
The French retreated , so as to surround
the forgo and dislodge the defenders from Its
roof. Their delay gave Iho water over the
furnace tlmo to boll , and U was passed up In
rusty morions , steel helmet pots and such
Impromptu bowls found In Iho forco. When
the enemy approached n6ar enough to reach
the boys wlthj their long halberd * they were
greeted with showers of boiling water , the
supply of which wag constantly icpluiiinhed
below. Still , one of the gallant lads Hum
phrey Hohun , Indeed was hurt by a halberd
which a soldier , scalded by tlio water , had
hurled at him. Dohun was let down Into tbo
forgo and another took his place.
Hut this sort of fight could not last for
ever , and the Frenchmen , growing wise by
experience , had Just lilt upsu a schema of
hurling largo stones from a safe dlslanco
through the dreaded smoko-hole ; whllo pro
tected by this fusllade a battering party waste
to rush forward and hammer down tbo door ,
when
IV.
"Saint George for Merrle England ! An
Eduard ! An Edward ! "
Up leapt John Smith's heart for Joy , and
up , too , went his head through the smoke
hole to see what meant that routing cry ,
The sight he behold was so Joyful that he
forgot all prudence , and sprang forth boldly
upon the roof , For up the hill to the rear
came galloping a company of English horse ,
led by a man In black armor , by whoto aide
he recognized his own master , the Haron de
Mounteheinoy , with llltle llanulph riding
Liehlnd bun. The French halberdiers uaw
the horsemen , too , and made oft s fast
Ihelr legs could carry them ! bul not fast
enough to prevent tholr being ridden down ,
surrounded anj captured.
Then up to Iho forge , where John Smith
stood on the roof , rode the victorious Eng
lish company ; and In their leader John mw
no loss a pcrMiugo than Kd.vard of Wales ,
the black prince.
"Where arc the gentlemen , John Smith ? "
ad ! D.iron do Mountchemey grimly , "while
the varlel rides on the roof ? "
John gald naughl , but called to hi * com
rades , who climbed ono by ono through the
Mmoko hole and dropped to the ground all
fnvo Holiun , who had to bo lifted down.
Under questioning they told the story of Iho
fight and how they had held the mill for
nigh hilf an hour against thirty grown men-
nt-arm3.
Hnl Humphrey Hnliun , who had Jlhcd nt
John Smith somewhat culler , now upakeUp
with alt the spirit of a generous heart nnd
told Iho prince that the whole defense , the
rescue nnd the boy'y tufetycro duo lo the
courage and determination of that nimo
lowly John. Uanulph and the rest of Iho
pagon admitted such to be the truth.
"Dy my faith. " said the Hlack 1'rlnco.
"thai stripling shall lie rewarded. Let hint
ttep forward. "
"Your grace , " Interposed the Dnron do
Mountchcsney , "ho Is but my son's serving
lad , the son of a villein , who died In serfdom.
And his is 'John Smith ' "
name , my HIIRO , ,
"And n right apt name , seeing hu held von
smithy 113 stoutly,1' quoth Prince Edward.
"Sir llaron , I cnro nol whs Iho sire waa
The ion can lead boys to victory ; In years
to como he shall lead men , John Smith ,
you nro my page henceforth. If you bear
yourself well you fhall bo n 'squire some
day perhaps a belted knight. "
Thus II was that Jolm Smith , the on of
Jonkyn the serf , did his duty nnd proved
himself n gentleman. Let young Jolm Smith
of today , othorwlpo known as "Johnny" and
"Jack , " think upon the deeds of his great
anceslor and worthily profit thereby.
PUSS TKII.I.V.
1'oet'n Cut \ Vlio'nn CciiiToiin nt
Sonic OIU-'M IJMI | > KMUMINC ,
A rccenl Incident rccilled lo my mind
Iho facl t.hnt cats , while ess-entlally im
perious. Independent , thy ? and distrustful
creatures , are very suave and sociable when
they have anything to gain by encouraging
3 friendship.
One Sunday I heard a faint "mew" nf
my door , which stood slightly ajar , and a
Rtrango lomcal thrust a paw , then his pink |
nose through the aperture , easily following > J
with his body. Ignoring Iho friendly ad
vances of every ono In Ihe room , ho curled
himself comfortably In my lap , unmistak
ably signifying his Intention of remaining ,
which ho did for several days , exterminating I
Iho mice and Increasing the milk bills. Ho I
partook of his meals nt Iho same time I
did , nnd seemed to consider it an obligation
of courtesy to oat of whatever formed part
of my reivxat , even Iho pew 119 and pickles.
Ho departed In lime , sDinewlul unwillingly ,
lo bo sure , for II Is the liii'tlnct of animals
as well ns human beings , to seek Ihose who
"understand" them.
Ho returned at Intervale , paying mo In
formal calls , which would last as long as
I would permit , him to remain.
The particular story which these Incidents
recall concerns a cit In the far west , Oak
land , Cat. , which rejoiced In Iho name of
"Trllly" not Trilby , for this was before her
day. She belonged to the well known poet ,
Ina. D. Coollirltli , whoso "Songs from the
Golden Gate" have rccantly bn Issued.
Trllly has been absent at her usual break
fast hour , and when her mistress wns pre
paring to go out for the day , Iho cat ap
pealed , bearing In her mouth n fish dressed
for cooking , which she hurriedly deposited at
her mistress's feet , looking up proudly for
an expression of approval. Dut her mistress
only stooped quickly and laid the fish on the
glowing coals , fearing that It had been pre
pared with poison to trap unsuspecting kit
tens that had propensities to make free wllh
neighbors' larders.
Trllly seemed lo consider Ihe proceeding
as lacking appreciation nnd courlesy , and
slowly walked away , disappearing over Iho
garden fence.
When Miss. Coplbrllh relumed and waa
trimming he r rose busheshi lho twilight
one of her neighbors called her 'name , and.
locking ncrogs-the lot. nhe saw-TrJlly curled
up on the neighbor's back porch , sleeping the
sleep of tlio contented , lf < not the Just.
"Do you .know what your cat has been
doing ? " she said to Miss Coolbrlth.
Trllly'3 mistress could not Imagine , al
though the eplsodo of --morning flashed
across her mind , causing her grave appre
hensions. .
"Well , she has been carrying fish
across my lot a good , part of Ihe day. "
"Fish ! Dill where could' sh'o get so
many ? Sh'o didn't eat thcmt nil I hope ? "
"No ; she brought them opo 'by one nnd
stood on .the top of , the fence "mewing
loudly until she hid all of your cats as
sembled .beneath. " And all of. the poet's
rnls meant no less than' sixteen or wvcn-
leon. " ' /
"She dropped the fish" ono by one- until
every cat had been satisfied , then she
brought the last otic ovcr here on my porch
Riid ate It herself , carefully washing her
paws when she had finished , and laying
ilnun n nlnnn. Shn 1ms not stirred nlncc. "
Misa Coolbiith hastened to whcro Trilby
was lying , and picking up the cat to as
certain If It were still sound In body , was
greeted with a lazy "mow ! " A smile crept
ovcr her features as fcho wondered what
neighbor's larder had Buffered and shs
thought she understood anew species of
generoflly.
r , OI < " TUB YOUXO.STHKS.
Ringway Your Bister expects mete din
ner , doesn't she , Willie ? Willie Oh , yea.
She sald uho didn't ' know but what you
might stay lo breakfast.
"You don'l have lo give anything to tlio
preacher , do you , papa ? " said Johnny. "You
ilways pass the basket. "
Teacher Where does milk como from ?
Doy f can't tell. "Don't you know ? Why , 1
> cur father's a milkman. " "Yus'm. He
told mo not to toll. "
, Te.iclier Whore were you yesterday ? Pu
pil . ( whimpering ) It was all IJllly Smith's
fault. Ho hlpncrtlsud me an' made mo go
sJcatln' with him.
Llttlo Manila read on her Sunday school
card : "God makes , preserves and keeps us. "
Looking up suddenly oho tnld : "Mamma ,
wha' do you o'pojc he ilonlth 'cm all ? "
"With what , my dear ? " "Why , all these
preserves. "
"No , mamma , " cald 8-ycar-old Mabel , "I
do not think I ciro , for any -candy. ' "I told
you you were eating too much last night , "
"I do not think It I ; . ' that , mamma. I fancy
I am gelling old. " '
"Dear God , " prayed a lllllo Church street
inaldon last-evening , "make a guftd llttlo girl
put of mo , and If at fr | i you don't succeed ,
ry , try again. "
"Little boy , " uskoJ the nympalhUIng lady ,
why do you cry aal" "Is Ihero anything > * " *
In Iho manner of > "y expressing my grief ,
madam , " responded Iho Jlostou boy , "that
strikes you as being outre or Inappropriate ?
Doo-hoo ! Hoo-hoo ! "
"Mamma , | i't thawing dynnmlto dangar-
ous ? " "I have read that It In , Willie ,
Why ? " " 'Cause , I don't co why baking
pouder lin'l dangerous , lee , "
"I'd llko lo hear you play Iho violin , Mr ,
Tllllnghast , " said 7'year-old Tommy Hilling *
hum , who wa entertaining the caller. "Hut
I don't waul lo plsy Iho violin. Tommy. "
"Then pappa musl be mistaken , I heard him
toll mamma thai you played second fiddle at
home. "
Miss Dorothy W. , aged 2 years , and with a
younger rival near Iho maternal throne , wai
found In silent and perilous Intimacy with
tlio parlor bric-a-brac , "What are you doing ,
Dorothy ? " demanded her mother. "I'm all
right , " responded Iho young woman ; "you go
and take care of your baby , "
_ \VlttOX COJII'OUNU
ANSY9 PILLS
_ . , . , .Baf nOHUnE. Jllivnyi reliable. T k
BOBQbitltutr. For idle by kdruK/l ] | ( lli. 12.00. Hcuf
c.for Hainan'Htaf OuarJ.VIJi'OX bh-EOFIO
co. , m bouru B