12 THE OMATTA DATLYTVEE : SATtTTtDAT , SEPTEMBER If ) . 1800.
Spencer's Revolt o II I < I
HV CAHKli : HLAKi ; MORGAN.
I
A A A A A JO A
( Copyright , HM , th B. 8. Mcflure Company >
Abraham Spencer came up tlio lane from
the fields. carrying Ills discolored old straw
liat In lila hand and mopping his face with
n. red cotton handkerchief. lie walked
itiniy and BJInlitly bent forward from the
lilps , as tlo most hard-working men who
have passed ( ho half-century mark , but ho
eel hli hcavlly-ihod feet down with a firm-
JICHS that . benpoko considerable physical
Vigor as well ftfc mental decision.
Ho scanned the house sharply as he approached
preached , and his shaKBy brows were drawn
almost together In a frown , tt was the
middle of a sultry August afternoon , yet
the doors and windows wcro all closed and
tlio green liolland blinds were drawn down.
He trlul the back door and found It fast ;
and though ho pounded on It with his horny
knuckles there was no response save n
'startled "enk cuk , cuk ! " from an old hen
with a brood'of downy chicks wallowing In
the dust bcsldo the steps.
"Now Oils * ( s mighty strange , " he mut
tered , perplexedly. "I wouldn't 'vc thought
Salry'd go away from home this way , all of
a sudden. Slio didn't say a word about It
at noontime. She's never done such a tiling
before , as I know of. "
He stood fllll for a little while , medi
tatively rubljhig lila thumbs and forefingers
together while he pondcrud the unprece
dented sltia.t.lon. (
"Couldn't be asleep , I reckon , " he con-
Jbctiiro'd.C "Mover knowcd her to sleep In
daytime. "
Nevertheless- came down the steps
anil went around the house to a cham
ber .window ; whore he parted a tangle of
liopvlnta 'and rapped sharply on the sash.
"Salryl" , be called , "Salry ! are yon to
c
"
home ?
There won a slight sound from within ,
JIB If.of a 'creaking board beneath a careful
footstep , then the shade was lifted at one
eldc and a .thin , startled , elderly facu looked
out. . . .
"What on earth's the matter , Salry'
Vimt'rt the lioiiB.o all shut up like a jail
for ? " demanded Abraham Spencer In a high-
pitched. Irascible tone. "Don't you know
the HhyiU'arsons 'vo boon hero and gone
nway again ? " ho went on. "I saw 'em
from the north nicader , anil I've come clear
homo to see what's the matter. Waa you
aslcrp ? Didn't you hear 'em knock ? "
Mrs. Srotlror rolled up the shade and
lifted the Rash with hands that trembled.
"Come now , spuak up quick , " added her
husband , Impatiently , "for I'm goln' after
'em and bring 'em back , and I want to
know what to tell 'em. "
"No , no , Abra'm , don't go after 'em. "
Jlrs. Spencer dropped on her knees and
leaned her arms wearily on the window
all ) . She spoke pleadingly , and there were
tears In her voice as well as In her eyes.
"Oh. Abra'm , I kep' 'em out a-purpose. "
"You what ? " Abraham Spencer's tone
Implied that ho was forced to doubt the
evidence of the cars that had served him
well for nearly three score years.
"I hop' 'em out a-pnrpose. I knowcd
you'd be mad , but I couldn't help It. I'm
just too mortal tired anil mlscr'blu to care
what becomes of me. I ain't able to get
stipppr for you and the hands , Jut alone all
that Ithynearson gang. I've worked so
hard today , and I didn't sleep much last
nlglit for my rhoumallz. I'm gcttln' old
fast , and breakln' down , Atirn'm. I can't
hold out much longer If I don't slack up
a little on hard work. "
"Well , why In thunder don't you slack
up then ? What's to hinder you from goln'
to bed after breakfast and stayln' there till
dinner time ? "
"Now , Abra'm , that's what you always
say , and It's so unreasonable. Who'd do the
worlc If I went to bed ? Who'd feed the
chickens and pigs , and milk the cows , and
churn the butter , and clean the vegetables ,
and baku the bread and pics , and keep the
vholo house In order. You'd come out slim
If I went to bed , Abra'm. "
"Well , slim or no slim , I want you to
cither go to bed or else shut up your com-
plalnln' . "
"Now , Abra'm , If you only would be n
little reasonable. All I ask Is that you let
mo slack up a bit In ways that I can ,
There ain't no BCIISO in us bavin * BO much
comp'ny , ' now , since the girls arc married
and 'gone. Coirp'ny makes so much hard
work , 'specially town comp'ny. Them lilfili-
HylrT town folks don't care n snap for urj ,
Abra'm. They Just like to be cooked for and
waited on , and kep' over night and over
Snnd'y , and fed on the best ot everything ,
from spring chicken to watermelons. Now ,
them Hhynenrsons "
"Them Ilhynear.sons 're my friends. "
,1 sternly Interposed Abraham Spencer ; "and
, BO long's I have a roof over my heart my
$ frlcnda 'ro welcome under It. I wouldn't
've b'lli-vcd such a thing ot you , Salry , I
halnt any doubt you're tired. I'm tired ,
myself , most of the time ; but I don't make
that an erfcuje for slightln' i-iy friends , "
"Hut you don't have to cook for "em and
wait on 'cm , Abra'm , when you're BO tired
ftjid worn out Miat you can't hardly drag
one foot lifter the other , and "
"Don't begin that old tune all over again.
I've heard It a many a time already. You're
Kcttln' so you're always complalnin' , and If
there's anything I hate It's a naggln' woman.
Now , understand , I'm goln' after the lihy-
nearsons ; I'm goln' to make 'em come back
If I can , Am I to say you was nway from
home , or asleep , or what ? It won't do for
me to tull um ono thing and you another ,
so Just tr-llmo what to say , and bo quick
about It. "
"Tell 'cm anything you like , Abra'm , I
don't euro wllat. All I ask of you , \l \ you're
bound to go after 'cm , Is that you'll stop at
"WHAT ON EARTH'S TUB MATTEIl ,
BAIUY. WHAT'S THE HOUSE ALL , SHUT
L'l > UI BA JAIL. 10 7"
_
Bclwood and get Sonlironr to como over and
do the work while they're hero. " i
"What , hire her ? "
"Why. of course. You wouldn't usk a
poor girl like Sophrony to work for you for
uotliln' , 1 reckon. "
"My land , Salry , how often'vo I got to tell
you I can't afford "to pay out money far
help In , the housu ? If you oucci begin It
you'll be always wantln' help , anil there's
, iio tense luIt. . Why , there was my
mother "
i , Mm. Hj't-nccr staggered to her feet. She
was a tall aloop-shouldcrpd , w > ak-cb stcd
vomau , liur scant hair wag Iron gray , tier
hand * were hardened and swelled at the
Joint * with years of loll , and her face waa
deep lined end sallow. Just now It waa as
near white as It could he , and a sudden
lain i til. desperate look had cmue Into It , a
look that stopped tbu words on her lius-
bap.d > lips , lie broke oft abruptly and
luokol at bur 'u stern surprise uud dl -
jiluusure
"I never knew you to art up BO cranky ,
Balry. I caa't sen what's jjctllu' into you.
Now , I've got no time to fool nway. I'll
tell Mis' Ithynearson you was asleep and
didn't hear 'cm knock , shall 1 ? "
"Tell her anything you like , " was the
reply , In a strange , still voice that suited
the look In her face. "I won't contradict
you. "
"Hut how do you know you won't ? We
ought tn have a clear understand ) ! ! ' . What
you goln' to toll Mis' Ithynearson when she
asks you where you was ? "
"She won't ask me. "
"Well , now , I'd 'like to know how you
know she won't ? "
"Ilccauso I'm not goln' to give her a
chance. "
The window sash slid down to the sill ,
nnd the shade dropped hack to Its place.
Abraham Spencer let go the hop vines nnd
watched them cluster together again , with
n slightly dazed look in his deep-set gray
; " ' '
eyes.
"Now , what In blazes could she 've
meant by that last ? " he meditated , unea
sily. Then his flat , straight-cut lips closed
In a bard line , and he added , as he turned
shortly nway : "But J ain't a-goln' to ask
her. When u man can't bo master In his
own house , It's time for him to burn It
down or blow his brains out. "
Mrs. Spencer heard his heavy heels re
sounding on the Imrd-bcatcn path as ho
went around th ? hotiKo and each relentless
step seemed to gflnd Its way Into her quiv
ering ncrvca. Onllnarlly flio would have
taken timid note of his movements at the
edge of a window shade , for her husband's
anger hnd always been n dreadful thing to
her. Hut now she opened the outer door
and stood there , watching , " while he brought
a horse and wagon out of the barn and
drove rapidly awny. When he had passed
out of sight she exclaimed , bitterly
"I'll not aland It' ' 111 ride myself ! I'll
SHE COULD MAKE * Ol'T THE FIGURE 0
get out of this before he gets back with
that gang , If I drop dead In my tracks ! "
As a first and very \\omanlsh step In the
execution of her resolve she sat down on
the doorstep and cried. Her meager frame
shook with dry , convulsive sobs , such as
are born of worn-out nerves , aching mus
cles , a lonely heart , and a starved soul.
She did not heed approaching footsteps ,
and scarcely started when a neighbor
paused at the foot of the steps and spoke
to her.
"Why , Mis' Spencer , what's the matter ?
I hope nothln' is gone wrong ? "
.Mrs. Spencer's sobs censed and her face
hardened as she met the woman's Inquiring
" '
eyes.
"It ain't nothln' that I want to talk about.
Mis' Howard. I've about got to the end of
my rope , that's . all. I'm tired of llvln' ,
and wish to heaven I was dead this minute. "
Mrs , Howard held up her hands ,
"Don't say that , M'is' Spencer , " she re
monstrated. "Now , I don't know what's
gene wrong , and I halnt the least notion
of tryln' to find out ; I only beg of you not
to wish you was dead. It's such a fearful
wish. We don't any of us know what death
Is. "
"Wo all know It's rest , and that's all I
care to know , " said Mrs. Spencer. She
leaned her chin on her hands , her elbows
on her Iccrex , and gazed Into vacancy with
rod-rimmed , unlovely eyes.
"No , we don't even know that , " said Mrs.
Howard , with Impressive earnestness.
"That's just one of " , trje things we've been
taught , and we lk"e | .to think It's so. We
don't know the first thing about death , Mis'
Spencer , except-that It turns us cold and
stiff nnd fits us for the grave. We don't
any of us kndrfj , wlat coes with the llvln' ,
thinkln' , sulTerlp' part of us. Sometimes I
think maybe Relay's'- with us In the grave ,
so that we hear and know things , same as
when we was llvln' . Ujihouldn't wonder If
we could lay \li mir graves and hear , the
blrls slngln' , aifrrOiojalri fallln' , and feel
the sun shlnln'JaBbve iis. " Now , ' posln' you
was In your grave out there in the little
bnryln' ground ln tnomcadcr , and s'posln'
you could lionr the .little chicks chlppln' to
be fed at sundown , and you not here to feed
'em ; and the cows comln' up the lane to be
milked , and you rfof here to milk 'em , nnd
your husbanWfftttlKln1 home , slow and
tired , and hungry , and you not here to get
supper for him. Do you reckon you could
rest then. Mis' Spcncer ?
"And s'posln' thnt offer a bit you'd hoar
some other woman's voice ii-callln' the
chickens , and sbnia , other woman's hands
rattlln' the stove lids" " around a-startln1 a
lire to cook supper for your husband. You'd
just have to lay there and ' hear things goln1
on without yourda'y lh and' day out , year In
and year out , nnd watch yourself crnmblin'
to dust. There wouldn't be much rest about
that. Mis' Spencer.- would there , now ? "
Mrs. Spencer arose wlh | the slow painfulness -
ness of stiffened/rheumatic Joints and
turned a shocked ] resentful face upon her
visitor.
"Mis' Howard , " she said , sternly , "If I
found a fellow mortal In trouble , and
couldn't thing of a single comfortln' thing
to say to her , I'd fcjo away and leave her
alone ; I wouldn't try to knock out the laut
prop from under her. If a body can't b'llovo
In the rest that's In the grave , I'd like to
know what we can b'llcvc In ! I never heard
such scand'lous doctrlnn since I waa born. "
She turned abruptly nnd went Into tlio
house , closing the door between hrrnolf nnd
her unorthodox neighbor , and listened until
the sound of receding footsteps died away.
"Thi're ' , I hope she's gone , with her
croakln' . I was that nfeard ehe'd hang
around and hinder me too long. Landi -i
o'clock n-ready ! " as a time-piece In an
Innen room gave four hard , mctnllld ptrokos.
She hurried Into the bedroom and came out
rolling a pair nf hea.fy grey bbnketH Intn
an uncouth bundle , Then she tool ; a bottle
from a shelf In the pantry nnd filled It with
rich , sweet milk. As she put the cork In
she suddenly stopped and listened ; then
opened the door a title way end listened
again. Intently.
"Win-els' ' " Bho ejaculated. "Now , If It
should bo them , goodness help mo to get
Into the cornfield before they remit In sight ! "
She caught up the blankets and snali-hcd
a raspberry pie. In Us tin plate , from the
tablo. Thus equipped for IHshl , sue opened
the door and went hurriedly out. At the
foot of the steps the brood of little chlrkrns
met her In full force , fluttering around her
feet and Impeding her progrugg.
"Shoo ! SUool"
She pushed them aside with one foot , and
waved the plo at them frantically ; but they
followed close at her skirts , with dismal
chirps that went to her heart.
" 1'oor little thing/ how well they know
It's tliflr supper time. If I'd only had time
to feed 'em , Llko us not nobody vise 'II
think to do tt. "
She hesitated niuUiJoolicd back at them ,
pityingly. Hut the rattle of wheels sounded
closer now , nnd her heart hardened , She
went on again , striving to redouble her
speed ; but thu blankets were cumbersome ,
and the raspberry pic was shedding IiJ
sticky Juice up her sleeve.
Her arms were pear to breaking , and
( cars and pt-rsplratton mingled In thu hol
lows of her clicelishrn at last she reached
the cornfield and lumbcd , | In between the
tall green row * , She dropped the blaukuU
1 and almost fell upon them In her exhaustion
The bottle and pie were allowed to shift for
themselves , and the latter poured out the
last remnant of Its crimson Juice at the
roots of a cornhtll.
Presently Mrs. Spencer eat up and llstenei
again. She could no longer hear the souni
of xvhe ls , nor any sound save Ih6. rustling
of the millions of cornblades In the grra
field about her , and the voice ot ft meadow
lark singing from the top of a tall charred
stump near by. She sat still and rested a
llttlo while longer , then she stood up am
tried to see the house ; but the Usselei
tops of the corn wcro two feet above her
head. Flic made her way cautiously to the
outer row and poere.1 nut between the s'alks ,
but the low sun beat straight Into her eyes ,
and the higher ground of the meadow , full
ot haycocks. Intervened. She could pee
only the weather-worn roofs of the house
and barn. She crept back and took up
her burden again of blankets , and bottle and
pie , and trudged on deeper Into the shelter
ing labyrinth of corn. .When she had put
half the width ot the field between herself
and the house oho felt safe for the time
being , and tat down again to rest and
Aide her time.
Her objective point was an old dugout In
the face of a stony ridge Just beyond the
cornfield. It hnd been constructed for a
potato cellar , and was us d only for storing
those edible tubers In winter. . From March
to November It was empty rwd forgotten ,
given over to rats and spld.cs * . She had
chosen It for her refuge over al , , the other
nooks and crannies of the farm because ot
Its Isolation. No roving , member of the
objectionable "gang" would , be. likely to
stumble upon U and discover , ; tier. : ut It
was well un the face of the ridge and visi
ble from the house ; so she did not think It
best to risk discovery by approaching It In
open day.
She partlv unrolled the blankets and lay
down upon them , turning her worn face up
to the sky with a deep-drawn breath of rest
and n delicious new sense of freedom. Her
close environment of tall corn shut out the
horizon , but she knew when the sun had
sunk below It by the tinted glow that over
spread her small vista ot sky. and the
fresher breeze that came whispering among
P A MAN' STANDING BY THE DARS.
the cornblades , precursor ot the coming
night.
After a time dark shadows began creep
ing along the furrows , as If striving to
steal upon her unawares , and in the purp
ling firmament above two or three pale stars
took form and coldly blinked down at her.
She sat up nnd shivered , and her heart sank
a llttlo at thought of the potato cellar and
the lonely night.
"Dew's a fallln' ! " she exclaimed In dis
may , with care for her rheumatism ; and as
quickly as might be she gathered up her
belongings and resumed her flight. In the
fast-gutherlng night the way to the potato
cellar seemed long and rough , and when she
had reached It she found It a stronghold
defended by wild blackberry vines that she
must tear away with her naked hands be
fore she could gain an entrance.
The clumsy door opened outward , and
yielded only Inch by Inch to her repeated
Jerks. Bach time a blackberry vine was
wrenched out by the roots It brought down
a shower of loosened gravel upon her de
fenseless head , from the crumbling banks
that towered high on either side. But nt
last n dark aperture yawned before her
wide enough to give her entrance. She
wondered why she had not foreseen the
need of a candle and some matches , as slip
groped her way within and pulled the door
shut. As she did so there came u great
roar and crash of falling gravel outside.
It sounded a perfect avalanche , nnd she
congratulated herself upon having escaped It.
The atmosphere of the little cave-like
place was close and musty from long lack
of ventilation , and Mis. Spencer found the
abrupt change from the pure outer air al
most stilling. She decided that she must
reopen the door and leave It so through the
the night. But when she attempted to do
It , she found the door Immovable , held shut
by tlio mass of gravel that had fallen against
It. The discovery left her aghast.
"Why now If I can't get out , and no
body has the least notion wbcre I am , why
It's 'most llko beln' turled alive ! "
The situation was disheartening , but the
direst forebodings must yield to extreme
bodily weariness , and soon shu hnd spread
her blankets on the clry straw of a potato
bin and stretched her aching frame upon
them.
Kor an hour or more hero mental worry
and her "rbt-umatlz" united In tormenting
her. then came sleep and wooeJ her to rest
with the welcome thought of no breakfast
to get In the morning , and no disturbing
voice to break In upon her slumbers with
the announcement " ' "
of
"gettln'-up time.
Hut she dreamed , nnd all through her
dream sounded the chirping of hungry little
chickens , thu lowing of unmllked cows nnd
the slow , heavy tread of her husband's feet
coming up the lane at evening time. "Tired
and hungry , and you were not hero to get
supper for him , " droned the reproachful
voice of her neighbor , running like a dirge
through the other sounds and making of the
dream a wretched , haunting nightmare ,
"Drat that Mis' Howard ! I'll never speak
to her again , " was Mrs. Spencer's first
waking thought , A thin shaft b'f. daylight
with the yellow glint of a well-rlseti sun In
It was forcing Its way Into the cellar
through a crevice on Inch wide above the
door. Involuntarily Mrs. Spencer sat up and
listened for the familiar sounds of her dream.
Hut she heard only the bickering of a pair
of wrens l the blackberry vines outside
and the scurry of a rat that scampered across
the cellar floor and plunged lntb Jits Jiolo In
n corner. This served to drjc ? } ' titr , ' atten
tion to her Buroundlngs. ' ' * J 4
In an opposite bin lay mm&fwnv looking
potatoes , with long , ghostly wut ) ' sprouts
and a winding sheet of cobwebs. ' Near the
center of the earlb floor stoyU a battered
old sheet Iron steve , with gome rusty Joints
of pipe rising Ehanklly to the tllaictied roof ,
ten feet above. Th4 hired men had set It
up during the cold snap In March and built
n fire In It to keep themselves warm while
they cut potatoes lor seeding. A dozen
matches and u clay pipe half full of burnt
toliscco lay on Its heirtb , forgotlen.
Mrs. Spencer felt a little light-headed
when she stood up , and thus was brought to
remember that she. had eaten nothing since
noon of the preceding' day. She looked
about for the pie and bottle of milk. The
latter was Intact , but the former had van-
Ihhed , leaving only Its tin plate as tangible
evlilcnco that it had existed. Two llttlo
knowing , exultant eyes were shining up
from the rat-hole In the corner. Mrs. Spcn-
ivr looked troubled.
"Well" a long , quivering breath "I
cert'nly ald I wUhed I was dead , but slow
starvation is a little more'n I bargained
for. "
She spoke aloud , and shrank 'from the
sound of licr own voice , It was so. thut-ln
and sepulchral. She turned to the jloor and
strove now with all her atrength to push It
open , but It withstood the onslaught without
a tremor.
She desisted ut length , and sat down on
an upturned apple box , exlmuuted. and gacp-
lug for breath. The place was stifling. Oh ,
for a breath ot pure sweet air ! Her out
raged lungs Feemcd burning In her breast ,
and her month and throat were parched ,
Fhc opened the bottle of milk and took a
portion. $ hu was tempted to drink It all
ut one- welcome draught , but refrained , and
cnrked U again resolutely.
During thu lung hour * of that forenoon
ihn attacked tbu door repeatedly- , but al
ways finitely , and finally , when the swelter
Ing August nun had passed the merldtai
and was beating down ineixillcssly on he
retreat , she gave up , and bursting Into i
wild fit of weeping she crept back Into th
bin and lav down.on her blankets.
Hours later , when she hod wept grea
deal and slept a little , she opened he'r swol
len eyes and saw the red gold of sunse
shining In above the door.
" " said to hcrscll
"Twenty-four hours , she
nnd a great longing came upon her to knov
how " ' " home dolm
"Abrn'm" and the old were
without her. She dragged the npple bo
close to the door anil mounted upon It , thu
bringing her cyen to a level with the crevice
There lay the farm house and Its peacefu
surroundings spremlt out below her like
( plaint , sun-kissed told picture. Hut oh , ho\
distant It wnq. hott far beyond the sound o
her voice , even thdugh she should shrie !
aloud. The broad * meadow and the grca
field of rustling corn ) lay between.
At first there wns-no sign ot life abou
the place , except the patient cows standlm
In the lane waiting for the bars to be le
down. Uul presently. , while she waited am
watched for the inrnrto come In from thel
work In the far north Jneadow , she describe )
a curl of smoke rising from the kltchci
chimney , a queer ; ) ghastly lltle carlcotun
of a smile flashlnR-'nrwss her face.
"Now , If I wasiiirnr enough to hear the
stovcllds rattle , " > Rhe whispered , "I couli
'most Imagine I wapvacad and In my grave
like Mis' Howard nald. "
Kor a long tlmolshe stood with her eyes
at the crevice , and her hands grasping tin
rough frame of thd < cellar door , wntchlnp
that changing , darkening spiral of smoke
Once the kitchen door opened and a. woman
stood for an Instant in sight. The watcher
squinted her eyes In a desperate endeavor
to concentrate her gate.
"I s'pose It's Mis' nilynearson , " she mut
tered , with a resentful snap In her tone.
"It's just like her check to take possession
of a body's house nnd act as If she owned
It ! I can't see how Abra'm can like them
Hhynenrsons so well ; they're such pesti
ferous folka. To think of her there , a-llvln'
high oft the fresh bread , and cakes , ami
pics that 1 baked ; and the cheese I made ;
and the butter I churned ; and mo here ,
n-starvln' ! "
The contrast was too pitiful. In all her
hard , mcarcr life she bad never before
known the pangs of hunger and thirst. Her
eyes were filled and the vision was for n time
shut out. When she looked again , the
curling smoke was scarcely discernible ami
all the angles of the old house were toned
down by the softening shadows of approach
ing night.
She could make out the figure ot a man
standing by the bars. It might bo one of the
liands , or It might be yes It was Abra'm !
lie had turned and was going slowly toward
the house , and she knew him by the for
ward stoop ot his body and that character
istic something In tlie way he set his feet
down as ho walked.
She thought ho would go in at the kitchen
door , but he passed on nrouml to the front
[ lorcli and sat down , alone , on the steps.
Presently It struck her that his head was
bowed upon his hands , and that his attitude
was one of deep dejection. Hut she was
not quite sure ; he was so far away , and
the shadows lay deep between. Still , the
onger she looked the more bis fading out
line seemed to appeal to her , until at last
she was overcome with the conviction that
sorrow rather than anger ruled In her
uisband's heart.
"He ain't mad nt me ! I just seem to feel
lie ain't mad at me ! Oh , Abra'ml
Abrr.'ni ! "
She shrieked his name aloud again and
again , each frenzied effort shriller than Ihe
ast ; but the narrow crevice threw the
greater part of the sound back Into the
: ollar , nnd Abraham Spencer sat still , with
lent head , unbcarlng , until the night had
thickened and shut him from her sight.
The black hours that followed were tcrrl-
> ls to her. Remorse , and a reawakened
onging to live , and to go back to her de
serted duties , now united with hunger and
: htrst to torture her. In the middle of the
tot , .stilling night , she was forced to drain
: he last swallow of milk from her bottle ,
and still her thirst was so great that she
: ossed and moaned In the fitful bits of sleep
: hat camu to her , Once she was awakened
by a touch , a weight like that of a hand
upon , licr shoulder , and sho.started up with
a glad cry upon her lips ; but It was only her
: oll-niate , the rat. He scampered nway to
ils own corner , and. she lay there with a
convulsive horror mpon her , watching and
Istcning lest he return. She told herself
that he would como back tomorrow night ,
\\hcn she would i have less strength to
frighten him awayi and all the nights after
when her poor body might lie there life-
ess , at his mercy.
She wondered , with an awful shuddering
wonder , whether H could bo that her soi'l
nust linger near alid witness the degrading
innihilation of itsi erstwhile tenement. A
maddening horror of ) death seized her. She
staggered across toi the opposite bin and
nade a desperate attempt to eat one of the
aw , mouldy potatoes.
At the first hint of morning she was ngain
at the apple Lox. with her eyes at the crev-
lec. Hut now there , was n thick white fog
ill over the land , and no vaguest outline of
icr home was visible to her.
The wn-ns were bickering spitefully over
heir nest , not an arm's length away from
icr face.
"Oh , hush ! " she said to them , pityingly ,
torn the bitter depths of her own experience.
'You poor , blind , llttlo things , you don't
( now how short life Is , after all , nnd how
little It matters If things don't go just to
suit you. "
The small pair were struck motionless nnd
lumb by the mere sound of her voice , and
'orgot to renew their quarrel. Presently the
father bird went awny to his day's work ,
and the little mother settled down to the
monotony of her homo duties , both un
conscious of thu yearning eyes of the lone
watcher at the crevice.
Many times that day she crept back and
ortli between thu bin and the apple box.
When her head swum and her trembling
Imbs gave way beneath her she would
taggc. Io the bin and fall upcn the blankets ,
hit no sleep came , and no rest , and after a
time her strength HO far forsook her that she
could no longer mount upon the box. Then
she lay and gazed at the strip of light
above the door until it seemed a streak of
Ire scorching her eyeballs.
And all the time she was listening , listen-
ng for the sound of a footstep , or a voice.
Thus the night found her , and again added
Is horror of darkness and rats , The fever
of hunger and thirst -was upon her. Her
longuc and lips were swollen , and a devour
ng ( lame burned In her vitals , Her senses
wcro no longer normal , and she heard sounds
and saw objects that had no existence In
reality.
.All night long liu watched the dark
corner where the rat dwelt , and her distorted
'ancy ' magnified him into a monster of the
ungle , In the cunning of scml-dellrlum he
nade plans to frighten him and keep him at
bay , and finally , In the dark hour before
lawn , she crept stealthily from the bin ,
whispering through her swelled llos :
"Fire ! Fire will keep him away ! "
She clutched an armful of straw and
crawled on hands and knees across the
arthen floor to the shoetlron stove. Keep-
ng keen watch of the dread corner , slio
lirust the straw Into the stove anil groped
or the matches on Its hearth. A scratch ,
a Hash , a tiny II a me , then a roar !
She dragged herself to the bin and
irought more straw , and more , until the thin
ron of the steve and the rickety pipe clear
o the roof were red and roaring. The
already hot and vitiated atmosphere of the
cellar was now raised to unbearable temper
ature , and soon she succumbed to It , fall-
ng upon the ground , face downward , In a
nad effort to get away.
No longer fed , the straw flro languished
and went out ; but Its mischief was done.
The dry thatch ofdho roof had caught from
ho redhot pipe and was blazing up. slowly
it first , but ever surely. Soon the clnderu
icgan to fall Into the cellar , and ono struck
icr bare neck , as the. lay. She cried out
vlth the pain , and itruggleil u little farther
away ; but the brands fell faster as thu
iperture around tba pipe broadened , and
ler doom would haveibeen certain had theru
lot been another rmtlebs heart and a pair
of sleepless eyes OID the old farm.
Tlio hired men ncre awakened by the ex
ited volcu of Abroui'm Spencer , shouting :
"Up , boys , up ! Hrlug water ! The potato
ellar's a-flre ! "
He was away , ivUh two great palls of
vater In his liandji.l before the men were
airly awake , Wlitn they followed him
hey found him on itbc roof of the cellar.
In had succeeded -extinguishing the fire ,
nd , as they approached , he suddenly
ropped his pall * and , falling upon his
knees , ciept close to'the charred edge of
the cbauin In the roof , Leaning far over , he
shaded bis cycK and peered keenly Into
ttie steaming depths below. A faint taoau
( had reached him , nnd now , as he listened
| another came quivering up to him ,
: "My God ! " be cried , springing up. "She"
' down there , boys ! Salry ! Hun for shovels
! Oh , run ! run ! "
He , himself , ran like a madman , but enl ;
I a little way ; then ho turned and ran a.
i madly back to the cellar , where he attackei
the fallen gravel with his hands , and ben
and iorf at the door until the heavy boards
all stalhed with his own blood , were rendei
from' their fastenings and he had leapei
Into the cellar and caught up the prostrati
figure he found there.
It was hours afterward that Mrs. Spen
cer aroused from the stupor thnt was tipoi
her and began to comprehend again th <
realities of life. She was In her own clean
soft bed , and the cool breeze of cvenlni
was fluttering the hop vines at the window
She felt pain when she attempted to move
and there were bandages on her hands , he :
head and her neck ; but the pnln was no
neuto , and the soothing effect of an oplatt
still lingered with her. Somewhere In tin
outer distance she heard the faint , fnmllln
tinkle of a cowbell , nnd jcs. the subduei
rattle of otovcllds In the kitchen. She llftei
her head from the pillow to listen and
found her husband sitting , silent , close be
side her.
"Who Is It , Salry ? What do you want ? "
ho asked , as she felt the strange tenderness
that vjbratrd In his rough voice.
"Who's In the kitchen , Abrn'm ? Is It-
Mis' Hhynearson ? "
"No , Shlry , It ain't. Mis' Hhynearson
went. ItOm'e tlotlblc-qtllck when she found
there' ' vJti'sn't anybody hero to wait on her.
You knotted her better than I did. Snlry.
That's phrony Selwood In the kitchen ,
nniffehc's' goln' to stay there till she dies
or gets married. " ,
She clotted her eyes to hide the starting
tears , but they forced their way through
the Interlaced lashes. Suddenly she turned
to him nnd spoke the thought that filled
her heart. ,
"Oh. Abra'm , It was so long ! Why dldn t
you try to nnd mo ? Why didn't you come
sooner ? " ,
"My .hind ! Salry , I never once thought ot
the dugout. I was too busy lookln' every
where else for you. First of all. 1 drove
clear over to Mzy's to sen if you was there.
Tint's a good sixteen miles , you know , anil
took n big slice out of the first dav. Then
wo went to all the neighbors' nnd hunted
the whole place over , but none of us ever
though of. the dugout. I don't know why ,
but wo didn't. Then , that night. Mis' How
ard come over and told me well , what yon
snld to her , you know , Salry , and she slio
spoke ot the crick. '
"The- crick ? " wonderlnqly.
"You know. Salry ! " he suddenly bent
over and nut his arms around her and
drew her to him "I was goln' to have
the crick dragged today , and It I d found
von there. Salry I couldn't ever 've stood
' "I'slmw. Abni'm. " she whispered , chok
ingly , nnd put up her bandaged hand to
stroke the furrowed stubble of his sun
burned face.
, CAKUII3 ULAKE MORGAN.
IX IMUSICIX.
DlKtrlliuMoii.of < luXniloiinl lionet : I"
V Jli'xl 'i .
No drlriic has a stronger hold on any
nation than pulque has on the Mexicans ,
says the New York Times. By .Mexicans Is
meant all classes In Mexico , "native and to
the manner born , " other than the full-
blooded Spaniards. Those of Spanish de
scent use champagne , claret , sherry ami
othrr Imported wines. Among the peons ,
men , women and children drink pulque with
the same freedom as water Is used In the
United States. Pulque and Jealousy cause
more wounds , bruises and deaths In Mexico
than all the wars waged on Its soil.
Before the pulque plant offers Its Juice to
humanity it must have attained an age of
from eight to eleven years. Its producing
life Is about five months , and each plant IB
supposed to yield from 123 to ICO gallons of
liquor within that time. The outlay on each
plant up to maturity is calculated generally
at about $2 , and the return from $7 to $10 ,
according to the size ot the plant. The Im
mense fields within n radius of seventy-five
miles of the City of Mexico arc planted and
cultivated with great care and precision , as
there Is nothing grown In .Mexico that pays
better than pulque. Fields of It present
an attractive appearance , laid oft In almost
geometrical regularity , extending almost
beyond the vision , until the rows seem to
concentrate Into one plant and one point
at the extreme end.
The plants are wholly Independent of rain
and storm , and are of a beautiful deep-
green color. It Is worth a trip to Mexico ,
says United States Consul Thomas F. Crlt-
tenden , to sec pulque plantations , the prep
aration of the outflow for the market and Its
dally Introduction Into the City of Mexico
by special train loads In "barrlcas , " or
largo tierces , and by "cucrcos de pulque , "
or pigskins filled with the liquid. It Is said
thnt $1,000 a day Is paid for freight on the
special trains for transporting this liquor
Into Mexico City. The tax on pulque Is
collected nt the "garritas , " or gates , before
Its admission to the city , and then the
liquor Is distributed In the barrlcas and pig
skins on special cars held In readiness for
that purpose. Nothing presents a more
ridiculous appearance than ono of these
Happy Days
are those upon which sufferers experience the
return of lost strength , vitality and energy.
The famous Brain and Nerve Peed , brine <
ntxiut this happy result. They create healthy ' :
digestion , pure , rich blood , firm muscles , '
rugged slrenf > lli , steady nerves and a clear '
train. Drains checked forever ,
$1.00 Per Box , 6 Boxes , $5.00 ,
A Iff.'al guarantee to cure or refnr.J the
money with every Jfi cmler.Address
Ehermar & McConncll UruK Co. ,
J5J3 DoilL-e St. . Om ha. " '
Searles &
Searlea
SPECIALISTS IX
Mcrvous , llirouio
and
Private Discos.
WEflTMEH
fa AH J'rlvulo LHie.uel
K tnilDUordertof Uaa
rrcutiiirnt by mall
couMiltatlun frou"
SYPHILIS
Cur d for , lira aniJ tti } . " ! thoroughly
tl.anBfd from th * intern. I'll.EH. FISTULA
ui BECTAI , UI.CBna , HYOaoCBLES AKU
VAIUCOCBI.B permanently nnd succtfifull/
cur'd. Method new and unfailing.
STRICTURE UNO GLEET
By niw mtthod without pain or cutting.
Call on or addrtu wlin otunip ,
Dr. Seailes &Searl3j ,
Cli.cnutrr' . Kncllih lllamond llr niJ.
llrlflnul null Only Urnulue.
' ' '
e'lil fa'nifktutr't
_ , , . . .vnaloJ wllh blu rlttMiu. TuLo
S i Vvlno ollirr , Krfuii taxgiiwi lulxilu-
rion * nJ tmilallam , Alllruiiiilillor , > rnd < lr.
' in lump , tor parllculftri , icttliooDlill au4
"lletlcr for l.udlr .ninl" ( > r , Ij rrturn
? Slftlt 1U.OOO Tr'llmooUU Haiti iorir ,
< 'llrhf l rriilmlcu > l'o.iludUi.nH < iiiiii < t
Bout ; Mki Uiuiii.ii. 1'lilludik , 1'a ,
CURE YOURSELF ?
, l' ' " 1H U for unr jiuiul
illtrliargKH , Innmnnialluii * .
Irritation * nr liln-iullouu
ut in i ; cum iuiiUrjii ,
ruin ! ? * * . Ami i.ut
.
Mold II.T D
or mil In i > Uln u rarer ,
hx oxpri-i , prfiuiM , for
* l < . IT .1 ( | | , tl.TV
rmimivni AMI JO.VKS STIIIIVS.
HO room * , b'jlhf. jteuni heat and all inoilunt
( mvcnlencer Holes , (1-W ) nnd 12 W IT tiay.
Ti.lle untictlltJ , Speilul low rule * tu itKUluf
UmrJeri. FKANK H1LD1TC1I , AUT.
containing .itbont twenty gallons
when being taken around nnd through the
city , the legs sticking-out , full to the toei
with the liquor , nnd even its tail presents It !
wonted curl when Ailed. This Is a con <
vcnlcnt mode of handling the pulque , aa bj
dimply removing thtf string from one of th <
feet the contents are soon drawn.
It In ald that Xochltl. n Toltcc woman
revealed to her race In the eleventh centurj
the method ot extracting from the pulqtu
plant this drink , which has been ever since
both the delight and the curse of the Mex
icans.
Aiur.vi't ms : OKTII.K : < ; II vi'iir.tis.
A X MI Con n ill it ml tliat Kent \Vntrli _
Value of llrullril MuMlirnt.
Telegraph operators have queer experi
ences at times , especially at the lonely rail
road Btatlcns where travel Is light , hours
long , and the work Is dene nt night , hour *
experience meeting of sailors , so far as the
yarn-spinning is concerned. Is as mild com
pared to a telegraphers' social session as
milk Is to a tar's shore leave. Several
knights of the key were sitting about a
table down town after hours recently , re
lates the New York Sun , when the tongues
began to wag about experiences. Ull Urad-
ley started the ball. , , , , .
"I was sent one night to sub on the Texas
& I'aclflc at n little station called Gordon , "
he said. "There was one hotel of four rooms
a mlle from the tclegrpah Btatlon. and two or
three cabins about the same distance off.
The regular operator had his rooms over the
station and freight house , where supplies
wcro received for the coal mines several
miles nway. It was the loneliest' place I
ever struck , but I had to work. After llx-
Ing things I lay down on n bench to wall
for the next freight. I suppose I dozed , for
I jumped up with a start at feeling n cold
wet tiuso shoved Into "riiy face. There was
a big Newfoundland dog wagging his tall
as merrily as a buzz saw cuts through soft
wood. Well , that dog ran first to the
lighted lantern on the Moor , then back to me ,
and then pretty soon 1 began to think some
thing was wrong. Up t KOI , nnd he led mi-
all through the freight house , up to the
operator's rooms , and back to the olllce , then
calmly went to sleep with one eye open and
ono ear pricked up. I waited for the train ,
but before I heard U he began to bark.
"The next night , the same performance.
Well , utter that H'seil ' Io go to sleep , and
for the week I was . 'there that dug kept
watch. You see , , th'e regular was fond of
sleep at night , " so he could piny poker all
day. I never told-jbn Iiliii , but that was n
well trained dog. "
"That's nee xpcrlencp , " said Ullly Mar
shall. "There waV-'orily half a thrill In
thnt.Vhyr In ISSS' , during the blizzard ,
I was holding down a.- night Job In Now
Jersey. It was Ihiv 'dreariest spot tlmt n
railroad olllclal could ; jil k out for n sta
tion. It was so ( inlu yiiStho daytime that
you could hear tha. s'ltliUalit glint and at
night the shadowsfall. . ' ' It was snowing
when 1 went on ntnight nnd all trains were
blocked , and by 'morning ' I was almost
buried. My lunehi'was long 11150 gone , and
I felt like grinding my teeth -Into some
breakfast. Dinner * tlnio game and went ,
supper hour passed , utnlT > Jio relief arrived.
I chewed on lead pcliC Hi'and rubber bands
until I felt llko a. girl Ubolckeepcr. I pulled
In my belt and lienrly cut myself In two ,
but the old hunger was there Just the same.
So I tried to Blccp"biX"Uiere | was no sleep
In mo with that gna.wlnf ln my stomach.
"All at once I saw throe muskrats come
up through a Jiole .Hi the floor. Muskrat
was better than" starvation , so I made for
them with n poker , IclIIVd one and the oilier
got away to freeze to death. Skinning that
fellow and dressing him didn't take long ,
and with wire 1 rigged a broiler. You bet
your life the smell of that cooking rat was
Just great Joy , and I'm no chink , either.
U just tickled me so that 1 fell asleep nnd
only wolie up when ho was so burnt that
the odor nearly choked me.
"The snow plow came along soon , however ,
and when I got filled up ngain 1 was sort
of glad I hadn't put down the old mnskrat
after all. lip might not have agreed with
me. "
For Infauta and Children.
lha fae-
tlnllo
Of
DR.
19 Till UM.Y
SPECIALIST
WHO TRKAT < ALL
PRIVATE DISEASES
Weakness & Disorder o > *
MEN ONLY
0 Yean Experience.
V Years io Oinahl.
Rook Free. L'onni.nioo !
and hx ininaiiou ! ' " < .
14th and Fsrnam Sli.
OS ! AHA Nlill.
FOR THE E.BVER
i RHEUMATISM !
Results ' 1
Liver from a and Bad 1v 1i'
i'
can be
Cured by
Using
Dr. J , H. McLEAN'S i
ILBVER AND KIDNEY :
BALM
| A Certain Remedy for
Diseases of the Liver , !
Kidneys and Urinary j
Organs . \
At Druggist ! . Prior , $1,00 Per Botllo i
THE DR. J. H. McLtAN MtDICINC Co.
J ST. LOUID , MO , 9
DUFFY'S
PURE MflU WHISKEY
ALL DRUGGISTS.
.fltfW'V7 , , ;
P "
&F.FOSTERSON&C2
BAIL WAX TIME CARD
Lemes IIIUULINC.TON & MO. UlVliU.IArrhea
UmahallJnlcjii Deiiot , lutn & Mason Su. [ Oinalm
S.mm. : . . Denver l\inetH 935am ;
4.3 : > piii.lllk Illll" . Mont. & _ l'UKia Snd. Ex. 4Uim ; |
7uOun..Ni'Uraslta ; | Local ( except Sunday ) . . 7 . ' 43pm
. . .Lincoln Lucul ( except Sunday.ji:30aiii ] :
2Uiin..l''u : | > t Mul ! ( for Lincoln ) -lully. .
Lrnvrs [ CHICAGO. Ilt'UMNOTON K. l .tArrlveS"
Omahal'nlun | Depot , lOlli & Minm : Hts. | Omaha
K:00pm : Chicago Vestllmlo 8'OOam
9lS : m ChlciiKO UXIUCES 4lDin | > Hf'
T0im..ClilciiRO : | and St. l.mils Uxi > rcES. . SiOUani -
lL:40am : I'.icinc junction Local ClUpm :
Fnut Mail ! : CVpm
Leaves ICH1CAUO. MII * & ST. rAUUArrlvea |
OmalmUnlon | Pciiot , 10th & Maeon Hts. | Unmlia
C:50pin..mr..ChlcHKO : Limited 8:0..lin :
lliCOam..Chicago Hxpicis ( ex. Sunday ) . . S25pm !
Leaves ICHICAOO ,1 NOnTinVUST'N'.IAvTlves"
OmulialUnlon nopot , ! 0th & MnsonStn. _ | Omnlia
: . . . . . . . . . : ' Kxprrsa .1 JOpin
4M5pni \Vstlliiiled I.hnltiHl r.MOpm
rr.r.iin : | St. rmii lOxpiffa ! i:30am :
r.HO.un rit. I'aut Limited 9iT : pin
7SOam..Cariol : | & SlouC'lly lA > cal..ll:10iii : | )
CCOpin : Oninha ChlcnKr/ Special S:00am :
. . . . .Missouri Valley Local. . . . . . OiSUaju
Leaves ICHICAOO. II .1. & PACIFJC.IArrlves"
OmaliaUnloii | Depot , 10th & MaBun Sta.l Oinalia.
"
RAST.
lOHCnm..Atlantic KxpriKS lex. Sunday ) . . G:3 : : < prn
7COpm : Nlnlit Kxpress 8lfinm :
.DOin..Chicago | ) Vcstlliuled Limited Itjr.pm > .
4Qi : | > in..SI. I'.nil ypmiliiilod T.lmiicil . . . l3.1prrt ; M' ) "
WEST.
C:4opm.Oklahoma & Texas Ex. ( ex. Sun..10:3.'am :
: . . . . . . . . . . I.lmll.-u. . . . , _ . . . _ fWpin :
Leaves" ! cT , PT. P M. S. O JArrlves" Kfii
Omahaf Depot , ISth nnd AVeliatcr Sts. _ | Omaha , Mr/ , !
S:15nm..T..PIoiix ntjActtunmoilatlnn 8:00 : | > m 9xm
l2:30pm..Bloux : City lxirw | u-x. Sun.llr > r.uin
Ci5pm ; .St. 1'nul LinilU'd g10mrt ;
Leaves j F. . E. & MO. VALT.nV. l rrlvca" rjfA
Omahaf Depot , ISm ndVeb nT Hm. I Omaha
" - " " . .I-'OKt Mall ami Expreun fi:00pm :
. If
Leiivea j K. C. . St. . ! . ft C. 15. ( Arrives M1 *
OmalialUtiloii Depot. IClh * Mngon StB. [ Omaha.
0:0.riam Kansas City Dny I\IITCBB GMOpnl _ ,
10-OOpm.K. C. Nluhl Kx. via V.I' . Trun . 6:3Unm ' ' !
Leaves I MISBOUni 1'ACIFIC lAnTveiT Bfe
Oniaha | _ Depot , 16th and Webalcr StM. I Oinalia ,
3.Opm..Nclirnslta : & Kansas Limited..12:2"pni :
j:30pm : Kiinfiia city Kipr sa 6:00nrr : >
3:0'ipm : ' Xi'liratkn Lciciil ( r > . Sun. ) 0:00an : >
Leaves ] " KlOt'X CITY & PACIFIC. JArrlve V >
OaialmiJepot _ , IGth and Webster Hie. \ Oiniilia FT *
Cirpin1 : .ul. . Sj1I > , uil I.lmltril i. . . 0:10nri
LrTivcT ] sr6TlX CITY & PAT-IF 1C. JArrlvea'
OitinhnllJiilon Depot , 10th to Mnson Sts.J Omaha
S:40am : St. Paul Pn ( senier ; 11.10pm
7:30.im : Sioux City 1'asi.cnKer 'J:0ipm :
6f.5pm : St. Paul I.tinlti-.l fl.-auaiu fj
llrnves I UNION "PACIFIC. ( Arrives Bf
Oiiinlmlt'nlon Depot. 10th * j Mason Btn. | Omah *
9:30am : Kearney Kxprcss 4:10pni :
6l'0am : Overland Limited 4:41 | > ru
S JOprn.lleat'cc & StrnmHb'K ICx. ( ex , Hun.12:0 : pia
i:4upni. : .Grand lEland HxprcbB ( ex. Sun..12OSpia )
33"pm ; I'ust Mull l > : IOain
Leaves"I WAnASU UAlI.WAVl "JArrlvcl
OiniilinlUnlon Depot. lOlli & Mnson Sts. | Omah *
n St. LouU Cannon , Ilnll. . .
THE
WILLIAM HOPE HARVEY 0 A
AND 9
m
ftft
ftft Full stenographic report of the discussion of the
ftf silver question , which took place at Urbana , August
f J5th , 1896 , was printed in The Bee after correction of
ftft typographical errors by each of the principals in the de
ftft bate. Four newspaper pages of large clear type.
ftft COPIES MAY STILL BE HAD.
ftft Two copies for 5 rents ; 12 copies for 25 cents ; 100
ior $2. for .
ft copies Special rates larger quantities.
ftft Write or apply to The Bse Business Office.
The Keeley Institute
M.iii ! [ $ WHISKEY , JIOHI'HM ' ; , Ol'll'M ' , TOBACCO AND CIIIAHBlTiJ HABITS.
Wriiu for tcrnm urd tedliniohla'q , Convsi' | > udciio ) oonhloiitial. !
Blair * Mofo.