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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 1897)
10 T1TE OMAHA DATI/V" 1 VISE : SUNDAY , , TATSTtTATJY SM , 18)7. ! ) ( cL THE MUTABLE MANY. BY ROBERT BARR. [ he Story of n labor Union. A Tnlo of Present Day Problems. Will Episodes from Real LHo. ffS | - . = J ? - . - . . - . - - - ( CopyrlKht , 1K > 7. liy Itobcrt llarr. ) CHAPTER XVIII. On the day after Mnrsten's failure to win a majority of tlio men to his side In the strike controversy , the young man went to Wimbledon , hoping to find consolation for his defeat In the company of the girl ho loved. Ho felt that ho was perhaps taking ft rather unfair advantage of Sartwcll In thus mailing a clandestine appointment with lila daughter , but ho Justified himself , as lovers have always Justified themselves , by claiming that a man was a fool to lese a trick when ho had the card In his hand to take It. It was evident that Sartwell had no objection to the vl<s of Barnard Ili.pe , nnd "that ho would bo qulto willing to have Ills daughter marry the son of his employer. If Marstcn had known thin the day before ho would not have been so self-denying as to refuse to see Udna Sartwcll , and now that fate had Interposed In his behalf , giving liltn the knowledge that ho had a rival , ho was not going to bo Idiot enough to throw away his chanco. Ho entered tlio vacant plot Aurroundlng the empty house , ntiil looked anxiously n.or.g the glasstoppedvall for the signal that Kdna had promised , under compulsion , to display. It was not In sight. Ho wondered If , after all , the girl 'mil told her father of his vUlt. Let Sartwell get but the slight est Inkling of It , and .Marstcn was certain the whole particulars would soonbo within the manager's knowlwlsc. He wandered up and down the wrong side of the wall disconsolately , not knowing what to do. Once he paused near where he hail , on the previous day , Jumped over. Ho thought ho heard a slight cough on the other ulde. It might be a warning , or an Jnv'ta- ' tion ; the question was , which ? She must know that he would be there , waiting for her signal , or perhaps the thought was bitter nho might have forgotten all about him. At the further end of the garden wns a park fence , lower than the forbidding atone wall , which It Joined at right angles. As anything Is better than suspense , the young man re solved to take the risk of reconnoltcrlng. He mounted the park fcnco and peered over the wall , but the trees and shrubbery were so thick that he could not see whether anyone was In Sartwoll'a garden of not ; even the house was hidden from hi ? view. Faint heart never climbed n stone wall ; Marsten hesitated but a moment , seized a branch of an overhanging tree , pulled himself up to the top , chancing the glass , and leaped down among the shrubbery on the other side. He listened Intently for n while , but there was no sound ; then he moved cautiously through the bushes to the open upaco under the trees where ho had talked with her the day before. No one was there , but ho caught hLi breath .as ho saw a red silk scarf hanging over the back of one of the chairs. She had at leant thought of him , for that was undoubtedly the unused signal. Ho was now In a greater quandary than he had been on the other slrto or tuo wall. She had apparently Intended to throw the ccarf over the broken glass , otherwise why had she brought It to thi > lr rendezvous ; but , ns she had not given the signal agreed upon , might there not bo danger that her father was At home ? The young mau knit his brow ns ho poudcrcd on what explanation ho would give Sartwoll If hoi wurb" aiscovcrc'd standing under the trees. Marstcn had half made up his mind to re turn by the way ho cnmo , when ho saw Edna approaching from th6 house. The girl held out her hand to him with a smllo that wont to his heart , but her words were not BO reassuring. "I was watching for you , " she said , "hop- Ing you would not-come. " "Hoping I would not como ? " echoed Mr.rs- ten , with a suggestion of dismay In his tone. "At least hoping you would not como , ex cept by the gate. I don't like this. It seems secret and mean as If wo were doing some thing wo were ashamed of. Now , we may not accomplish much good , talking about the strike , but wo nro certainly not doing any thing either of us would fcur to have the whole world know. There In no reason , now that your plans of yesterday have failed , why you should not have como to the front door llko any other visitor , IB there ? " "I suppose not. " "Of course not , " cried the girl eagerly , "and I Intend to tell my father all about this vllt , oven If I could not mention yester day's. " "Oh , but you must not do anything of tli < ; kind , " pleaded Marsten , thoroughly alarmed. "You will promise mo , won't you , that you will not say a word of my being here to day ? " The girl laughed and shook her head. "I'll not make another promise so foolish "feaJff5 JMJ- - § § : il "I'VB GOT 1\'IM \ , " HE CRIED. as yesterday's. You eeo , my promise did no eood. " "What ! IMd you tell Mr. Sartwcll I had been here ? " "No. I said I wouldn't , nnd I didn't ; but It made mi < feel wretchedly guilty wlic'n there wns no occasion for It. What I mean ls , that your plunx did not succeed. In put ting an end to the strike , and so It would have uiadt no difference after nil , If I had told my fatl.cr. Uon't you KC-C that ? No I won't make another euch promise In a hurry " again. "Miss Sartwell , " said Marsten , seriously "you don't undcrntainl all the circumstances , then ) are reasons why your father must not know 1 have been here. Although negotia tions have failed for the moment , they will como on again shortly. ' If Mr. Sartwell knew I was here yesterday " "Oh , I Intend to keep my' promise about yesterday. I shall not say a word about that vlalt : It Is of today's visit I shall tell him. " "lltit don't you sen ? Yesterday's visit leil to this one. They are Inseparably joined ; you cannot mention one without leading to the other. 1'lonnc promise you will say nothIng - Ing about today's either. " "I won't make nny more promises , When my father carne home late last night ho told mo all that happened what you had tried to do , nnd everything. I felt BO guilty nt having to keep anything from him that I reaolvcd to make no more promises to any one unleia ho knew of them nnd there was no need to feel guilty , I mil turo ho would hare been glad to know wo talked about the atrlke , and were trying to help him ; yet all Lecauio of that foollih promluu I dared not lay a word. I think Ifyou kuew what I suffered you -would not ask me to keep any thing from him. " "Dear Miss Sartwcll , " cried Marsten , with moro of his affection for the girl In lib volco than ho was aware of , "I would not cause you suffering for anything In the world ! " Kdna looked nt him with wide-open eyes , surprised at his vehemence , then she Inugifud merrily. "Why , how scrldus you nrol Afdir nil , I shall soon forget nboui It ; and although I won't make rash promises again. I'll think It all over , and If but then , what Is the use of Its ? I shall say to my father tonls'it that you came to bco him , and that I talked with you nbout the strike. " "That wouldn't be true , Mlsa Sartwcll , I didn't como to see him ; I came to see you. " "Oh ! " "Yes , and you would have to tell him I climbed the wall. You can't go In for half truths , you know , nnd we haven't talked much about the strike , have we ? " "Ah , but you came for that , didn't you ? " "Yes. Oh , yes , of courao. Nothing elre ; but you see. It wouldn't do to say anything about this visit to your father unless you told him everything. Ho would want to know why I came over the wnll. " "And why did you ? I am sure you might Just ns well have come through the gale. It would have been much easier. " " 1 will next tlmo I corne. Hut you know the wnll Is there , nnd I cnme over It ; so , without making any promise , 1 beg of you to say nothing nbout It to Mr. Sartwcll , for ho will want all sorts of explanations that I don't quite fee how I can give. " "Well , then , I won't. Oh , dear ! that'e n "Oil , FATHER , I'M SO UL.AD YOU CAME. " promise , Isn't It ? And I protested I wouldn't. I suppose you'll think that It Is Just like n woman. Hut I'll .never make you auother piomlsc never. " " ' Miss Sartwell. I "Oh , don't eay that. would promise you anything. " "Very well. Promise me you will tell my father you , were here. " The gltl.laughed when she saw his dis comfiture when she so promptly took him .at h ! > \ word. "There , " she cried gleefully , "you see , you didn't mean what you eald. I really believe i-ou are afraid of my fatlier. " ' "I am ; " ' , , "That's very funny. I should llko to tell him that. I can't Iniaglnu nny one being afrnld of him. " "Perhnps you have never seen him when ho Is angry. " "Oh , yrs , I hnve : but I Just sit quiet and say nothing. Ho Is never violent whet an gry , as tome men are , but his eyes hall close , and his lips are set tight , and ho doesn't care to bo spoken to Just then ; so that's why r don't speak. Ho was angry with you that night , was ho not ? " "What night. Miss Sartwell' " atfted Slnra- ton , almost holding his breath. "The night at the oftlco when I came In. The tlrat tlmo you ever spoke to mo. Don't you remember ? " "I shall never forget It , " Marstcu said In u hushed voice. "Oli. you take things too much to heart , I can eco that. You shouldn't mind a lit tle disappointment , nor think my fjthor hard because he refused you. I spoke up for you nl the time , as I told you yesterday , and I'm nfrald I didn't further your Intcr- c-sts by doing so , for father thinks women shouldn't Interfere In business. " They were- seated opposite one nnothcr , the girl bending forward In friendly , confi dential attitude , the young man unable to take his eyes from her. listening , llko one In a dream , to the entrancing murmur of her "You epoko up for mo ? " ho repeated , as If soliloquizing. "Yea , and father said " The girl paused , embarrassed , remember ing that what had been said had not been complimentary to her listener. "What did ho say ? " asked Marstcn breath lessly. "Well , you know , ho thought you too young and Inexperienced for a responsible pcoltlon , and you arc not very old , are you ? Hut by and by , when you have moro expe rience , I am sure ho will listen to you. The great thing Is to gain hU confidence at least , that Is what I should try to do , " "Yes , I should llko to win his confidence , " said Marstcn , dolefully. "Oh , It's not difficult. All that Is required Is to do your duty. / think It's nothing against n young man that he Ls ambitious. That ought to bo In his favor , especially with a man llko my father , because ho has always been very ambitious himself ; and I think the great drawback with worklngmcn Is that Hii > y do not se-in to euro whether they better their positions or not. You can't do anything for a man who won't help himself ; and you are ambitious , aren't you ? " "Very. Too much so , \ sometimes think. " "Oh , ono cannot be too ambitious , unless ono It n man llko Napoleon , and thoroughly bese and wicked. Then It's wrong , of course. Now , If you want my ndvlce but perhap * vou think I know nothing about these things ? " "M-lss Startwoll , I would' rather have your advice than any one's els ? In the woild , and I will follow It to the letter. " "You do take things too seriously. What a weight of rcsponslblll'.y you would place on my fchouldors ! No , you must hear the ad vice first , awl then judge whether It Is bc.U to follow It or not. I think you should work along wilotly for a year or two , doing your very best mid tavlng as llttlo ns possible. Father likes n man who docs things , rather than ono who saves things. Ho doesn't bc- llevo much lu talk , Thru , when you ace he trusts you 'Implicitly , perhaps by that tlmu ho will offer you the situation ; but If he doesn't , you lot mo know , and I will speak to him about It. Oh. I shall approach tin- subject very diplomatically. I shall begin by asking how you are getting on nt the works , and If ha fipeaksvell of you , I will suggest that you bo given a better position than the ono you are In. How do you llko my plan ? " "It Is nn admirable one , but but " "Hut what ! Where Is tha objection to It ? " "Thero Is no objection , except that I may Kct rather discouraged as tlmo goes on , " "Oh , that Is nonsense , You are Interested In your work , are you not ? " "Very much so , but If I could see you now nnd ngnln. I well wouldn't become hopeless or despondent , you sec. It that could bo managed " Edna Bat back lu her chair , and looked itrnleht nt htm with clear , wide eyes that seemed puzzled , trying to ECO beyond what was plainly lu view. Maraten , burdened by the consciousness that ho was not dealing lionesUy with her , yet afraid to awoken her too prematurely to the realities of the vltuatlou , was M coufupod au moat uliigle- minded pcrioai nro tvliou placed lu a lalsu j position from which there Is no escflpo with out risking disaster. For n moment there arose In his fast-beat ing heart n heroic determination to cast nil caution to the winds , and cry out , "I love you , my girl. I love you ; I am poor , and your father has forbidden me to see you , " but ho feared n repulse from the girl.moro fatal to his hopes than the check ho had re ceived from her father. Ho bent his g.uo upon the ground nnd curbed his Impatience. Ho realized that honesty had not Lccn the best pollcj- when ho had Inopportunely con fessed his affection for the girl toi hr father , nlthough ho thought ut the time Jio liad taken n manly and straightforward course. Had ho been IMS Impulsive , and tried to wl still further the confidence of Sartwcll , h might porhapa ha\o ultimately gained footing In his chief' ; , house , and then win knows what might have happened ! Ho hm drawn upon the bank of confidence , nnd hi check had been dishonored ; l.o . could no risk n second mistake of that kind. "I don't like you : word 'managed , ' " sal Edna nt last , n little wrinkle of dlsplrasur on her fnlr brow. "Your visits here do no needo to bo managed. You can come na nn other friend of my fnthor comes , nnd w shall have plenty of oppor'unltles for talk You persist In thinking that my fall er ha some feeling against you , when I assure yo such Is not the case. " Heforo Mnrstcn could answer the sllenc was' sharply broken by the emphatic click o the gate , and the young man wns dum- foumlcd by seeing Sartwell enter , stride u the path leading to the house , stop , turn hi head toward the spot where they sat , the crcna the lawn directly to them. Mnrste sprang to-hls feet ; the girl arose mor slowly , a roguish twinkle In her eye. Her was the solution of the problem right to he hand , nt Vreclsely the proper moment. Th expression of the three fnces would hnv Interested n student of physiognomy. An per , delight , confuslo'n were reflected fron the countenances of Sartwell , Kdna nm Mnrsten , respectively , but the elder inn was the flnn to control his emotion , and , n ho approached , hla face became an Impas slvo mask , revealing nothing of the passloi within. Ho cast a brief , quick glance a Marsten , who stood there pale. In the attl tudo of one who has been trapped , and wh sees no nvmue of escape. A lorger , mor searching look at his daughter showed him at once that she had nothing to concen ! Her evident undisguised pleasure at hla com Ing was too palpable to bo misunderstood Ho drew a deep breath of relief , but recog nlzcd instinctively that the situation re quired very delicate handling If the girl's Ignorance was to bo maintained. Hero the fates fought on his side , for each man , from directly opposite motives , desired the same thing ; neither wished to have a conflict In Edna's presence ; neither could run the risk of full knowledge coming to her nt tha time. Luckily , Edna's eyrs wore all for her father and-ahe gave no look to the younfe man , In wlicso faeo and attitude Were un- donlablyotamp'ed both guilt and dlsconl- fituro. She was the flrat to speak. "Oh. father , I am so glad you came ; we were just speaking of you. " "Yes , Edna , there are one or two adages bearing on the subject ; complimentary ani the reverse. " Edna laughed brightly. "Wo have been trying to settle the strike and Mr. Marsten thought you would bo an gry If you knew ho had been here thought you might call It Interference. I told him that wes all nonsense , but I could sec he was not convinced ; so you como at the proper moment to solve the problem finally. " "I see I came Just In time. I am only too glad to have assistance In unravelling thl < 3 perplexing tangle , and I welcome help fron any quarter. " "Thero ! " cried the girl triumphantly , turn. Ing to her lover , who had by this time par tially recovered his " ' composure. "Isn't that just what I said ? " "Mr. Hope told mo an hour ago , Marstcn that you had visited him yesterday , and hat done mo the honor to call nt Wimbledon afterward ; so I came home , fearing I might miss a second visit. Mr. Hope spoke very highly of you , and I do not wish to bo lese cordial than he is expressing my own opin ion of your most disinterested devotion to the welfare of your fellow workmen. " Marsten moistened his dry lips , but made no attempt at reply. Timorous llttlo Mr. Hope had not kept faith with him , then , anil after counselling him to silence , had blurted out all the particulars as soon as ho came again under the influence of his masterful servant , and thus had prcclpated this deplor able encounter. Edna looked from one to the other , a slight shade of apprehension on her face. The words of her father were all that she could ask , their tone was unex ceptionable and It yet there was frost In the nlr. She spoke with less buoyancy than before , still with confidence that all wcs rus It should be. "That was one of the very points which troubled us. Mr. Hope asked Mr. Marsten to say nothing about the Subiton vlalt , whllo I felt euro you wouldn't mind. " "You did quite right. Marsten , In saying nothing about It when Mr. Hope asked you not to mention It , but Edna Il ; right also In stating that It would have made no difference to me. " "Now , " said Edna to the young man , "you ECO how groundless alf your fears were , and how n few simple words of explanation clear away all dllllcultlrs. I Iiopo you will vlalt usi whenever you want to talk Umy father you would bo pleased to have him come , wouldn't you , father ? Mr. Marsten has done hlo brst to settle the strike , oven though ho failed. " "I quite appreciate that , Marstcn , and my house Is always open to you. " Edna glanced with a smile at Marsten ; hU eyes were fixed Intently on Sartwell , who continued suavely : "However , It Is only right that I should let you know there will bo no more- need to dlsciwa the strikes I have been played with long enough. It Is now my turn to strike. On Monday the works will bo going again , I have on file four tlmca as many apppllcn- tlons for work no I have vacancies to fill. My clerks areat thla moment writing out some- hundreds of telegrams , asking the re ceivers tel report for duty on Monday mornIng - Ing , I shall ii&vo no moro trainc with the union , " "Oh ! " cried the girl In dismay , "Won't you glvo mo another chnnco with the men ? " asked Mnrstcn , spenklug for the Ilrst tlmo , "Thero were only a few votci against us at the Inst meeting. " "You have from now until Frldny night. I glvo you up to the latest moment , nnd that Is why I pay alx times as much and use tha telegraph rather than the 'post. Lettcri would do quite OB well mailed on Friday , The works open on Monday , with or without you , M > you Heo you havu llttlo tlmo to lose , " "I shall go nt once to London and call a meeting of the men , May I ECO you at your olllce tomorrow ? " "Certainly. My ofllco Is always open ; but remember , It IB an unconditional surrender now. I'll have no more parleying , " "Good-by , " said Mnrsten briefly , turning on hla heel nnd hurrying to the gate , fathct and daughter watching him until ho dis appeared. Sartwell sank down In ono ot the chairs , murmuring as ho did BO : "Thank " God ! "Why do you say that , father ? " "Say what ? Oil I liecnueo a certain tent jlon tins been relaxed , I have seen Hopt and Monkton off together for Germany thli morning , and they will bo gone for at least a fortnight. This leaves me a clear Dold , nnd I will crtiBli this strike ns I would nn egg shell. " nv n Sartwel ncrrMinJr clinched Ms right hand , M If the rgg 4hcUvcro ' In It. "I nm sorryjfnnrtho men , father. " "So am 1 , my d&ar. If they stand out , but It will bo tliqlr ( own fault. Kxpcrlonco la ! said to teach .TI npeclnl cln.ss of Individual * , ami they are preparing for themselves n bit- .tor do e of It , " ' . .n . "Will you inot- take him back , oven 4f they hold out ? " " > "Him ? Whom ? Oh ! Mnrsten. If they do not como backn body , 1 will novcr allow another unlou ian to act foot In the works again. Hut no.vor , mind the men ; I wnns to tnlk about yourself. " " ' ' ' * "About mo ? "Yes. About the situation hero at homo It Is not exactlyn.Vliat 1 wish It to be , and I Intend to try an experiment. " "Do you mean what happened yesterday between mother and I ? " "I mean the whole situation. Wlmt hap pened yesterday was merely an Indication of the tendtncy I don't know Just how to put It , but It Isn't satisfactory. " "I was at fault , father , ns I said last night ; I wns worried and anxious that Is no oxcuue , of course and then I said things I shouldn't have said. I was sorry nt once , but I nm moro sorry now when I see I have troubled you. It won't happen ngaln. I shall bo very careful In the future , and I am sure It you think no moro about It I shall do bettor. " "My dear Edna , 1 am not blaming you -In the least , nor do I think you were nt fault- that Is. not entirely. I am not censuring nny ono ; wo nro ns God made us , nnd thera nrt differences ot temperament which sometimes cause friction. You nro not having n fnlr chnnco just now. I cnro very llttlo nbout your nmther'o friends , and I have few frlenda myself ; thus you have mo companions ol your own ngo whom you can have hero , and whoso visits you can return , as Is right nnd proper. You arc thrown too much on your mother and mo for your friendship , nnd 1 nm not sure that cither of us Is suitable. You are at an Impressionable tlmo of life , nnd 1 want to do my host for you ; BO I think I shall send you to come school where .you will moot nice girls and form some friendship * that you will enjoy. Then you have n ds- elded talent for mu.vc ! , whlcli will 'be ' de veloped , and there are many reasons for ouch a step. " "Do you mean that I shall have to leave home ? " asked Edna with n tremor In L'cr voice. "I think that will be best. , In a year .or two you will look upon llfo , wlth porl-aps moro philosophy. " "A year or two ! " cried Edna , as If she spoke of eternity. TTnr ffiMini * emltnil ' "Tho time will pass very quickly , " he said. "In n year or two , when' you como homo , both your mother nnd you will be glad to meet each other. We sometimes grow to think kindly of the abssnt. " The girl burled thcr fnco In her hands. "Tut , tut , Edna , my own -little girl ! " cried her father ; placlpB his chair beside hrr's and taklng.-hor almost in bio arms. "Ono would thlnk'you were going to' bo sent off to Africa. 'I Imagined you would bo glad. " 1 ' . . "It Isn't that.'J she sobbed , "It shows how dreadfully'wicked'you must think me when you are compolle'd-to sen : ! mo away. " "Nonsense , Edna ! It shows' nothing of the kind. I can't send your t > ( .epmothor > o hoarding school , can I ? Well , then ! I don't think you wicked at all , I have not the ( .lightest doubt but you said Just what you were provoked to saying. There now ; see what a hopeless admission Mint Is lo make to a rebellious daughter. No , no. I am not blaming you lu-tho least. As I cnld be fore , I nm blamlnrt nobody. Wo are driven by circumstances , that's nil. " "And nm I 'never to see you except when I come homo- -I "My darllr/K girl , that Is the delightful part of It. You'Will.sec mo , and I will sco you , practically-more often than ' .vo do now. What do you-think - of that ? I shall select some excellent school , situated In n bracing spot near the sea. I believe It will be cheaper foe riio to'take n season ticket on the railway taere , I shall go no often. We will take lonfr walks jm the downs entirely alono. and talk ot everything. Wo will have delightful llttlo dinners at the woysldo Inns wo discover , 1nml now andtthon a grand luncheon nt some very expensive plnco with n window that looks over1 the channel. Edna. It will bo the rejuvenating of your old father. Ho rarely gets < n sniff of ozouo as things are now , but then " Edna , with n cry of joy , flung her arms around his neck , . - "Oh , father.Bho .cried , "that Is too good to bo true ? When can I go ? " "This very we'ck , * I hope. You see now how everything 'depends on the point ot view. " CHAPTER XIX. With the words "starved to death" ringIng - Ing In hln ears , Langley walked * to Chelsea. Bitterly ho accused himself /or his stupid blindness ; nil this had been going on for days , and ho had had no suspicion of It. She had from the first undoubtedly stinted horaclf so that her father might not go hungry , and when , at last , the real pinch came , she was too weak to resist It. Her fatlier. Isolated by his temper from any friends who might have neen what was happening nnd given warning in time , had nUo been unconscious of what was passing before his eyes. His gruff Independence had slowly famished hla own daughter. "Stravcd to death ! " In the richest city in world the granary of the nations , Into whcse ample lap pours the golden wheat from every country under the sun that ripens It. At last Langley reached the studio nnd with the habits of the great world , that a notable- function was in progress thereabout jy the numerous carriages , with flno horson and resplendent coachmen and footmen , that waited near by. In hla earlier days Langley iad hoped for pupils to Instruct and thus Increase his scanty Income. Ho had cards printed "Albert Langley" In the center , and "Teacher of Music" In smaller type In ho corner. These were never used , Lang- ey not hiving the courage to push his In quiries for pupils and secure them. He , snowing Harnoy to bo a fashionable man , iad nut some ot thene cards In his pocket. and , when the boy In buttons swung open the leer the lilt of pa3toboarJ was handed to ilm. ilm.Tlio Tlio boy glanced at the card , dropped It nto the receptacle that contained many oth ers , nnd atouted 'the name up the stairway , rafting Its ascent with a wnvo of his hand. The man who held csldo the heavy drapery vhlch covered the doorway , bawled the name Into the room , from which a confused murmur of conversation came , mingled now and then with a pleasing rlpplo of laughter. The ornamental living utatuo nt the top of ho stair gazed dreamily over Langly's head , s ho mounted , A Taking another card the organist gave It o the man at the door. "I have nat'JWto the 'At Home,1" ho , aid. "WouldjyouJglvo this to Mr , Hope and isk If ho will.aid mo for a moment. Tell ilm I called laat-ritlght , and could ; not conu arller todny.Vtf ; ft. The man topjimb card and disappeared be. ilm ! the curUH'H In an ' "credibly whorl line Ilarmjy tAhuitout , anil his reception ol ho musician l-\yaa bowllderlngly effusive , " .My dear , follow , " ho cried , placing a hand on each 6houlder.flf Langly , "can you play ho piano ? or * Bourse you can. What a oollsh question to ask ! I always light on ny feet. Providence has dropped you down tero , my boydon't you know. Hero wo have jimt senf. QUA to ecour Chelsea for a planttft. and Uare-ujiou drop right down from ho skies , doiUj you know. This Is luck. Vant to ace , mit ) Of course you do , and vhat's moro t/jnth point , I want to see you , on't you knpw ! | , , > 'o\v como right In. I've got the flccBt.ys'rfm ) piano you over lingered n your life n yi fflcent Instrument case do. Igned by my clfrrtold 'em to gparo no ex- icnso , and they' , didn't , don't you know. Trust 'cm for that. Now como In , como In- "Mr. Hope , I did not como to play , I am n no condition for nlavluir. " "Of course j'ou didn't como to play. That's ho beauty of it. You want something fj-om ie ) , now don't you ? " "Yes , and If you will glvo mo a moment " "A thousand of 'em , my boy.j a thousand f 'cm , but "ot Just now. Listen to mo. You vaut something I've got , and I want eoino- hlng you'vo got. Very well. All England's irosperlty U based on just that position 01 lings. Our commerce Is founded on It. Our nutiial country la great merely because ntio aiows what she waute , anil because olio has lomcthlng the other fellow \\ants , don't you now. Now , I want a man who can play nnco muilo and I want him now not > > lorrow , or day after , or next week. You cite hat I mean. Good. You como In ana > olUU us otf flomu waltzes on the new piano , lion , when It'a all over , I'll let you have vliat you want , If It's half my kingdom , a the story books say. Then wo will both bo happy , don't you know. " "I nnv organist at St. Martyr's church. I can't " "That's all right. Don't apologize. You can play the plnno as well ns the organ I know that by the look ot you. Como In. como In. " IJarnry triumphantly dragged the reluctant musician after htm , "I've got htm , " he cried , at which there was n clatter of npplauso and laughter. "Xo\v. tlirrn. " said Ilnrnev. Jubilantly. seating Langley before the grand piano , with Ita great lid like a dragon's wing propped tip , "there's all the sheet music nny reasonable - blo man can want ; but If you prefer anything else I'll send out for It ; and thcro'fl the plnno 'Como let us hoar Its tone , ' na the poet sayn. " The rugs which usually covered thewnxcd floor had been cleared nwny , the chairs had been shoved Into corners and against the wall. There was much laughter and many protestations that they had not come prepared for n dance , but nil were quite noticeably eager for the fun to begin. ( To bo continued. ) AX AVI3HTHI1 TIIAOIMIY. J. Wlllard lliibbllt In New Yolk Sun. 'Tls early night. The whistling winds Possess the linked street , Suve hero nml there some shivering wight Goes by with hurrying feet. Through the blinding snow nml stinging sleet , Dashed by the wintry storm , In scanty dress , with fnco upraised , Itchold a femiilo form I Why stands she here on such a night ? Why bravo the chilling frost With hand outstretched and motionless , l.lko n sentry nt his post ? The passersby give her n look , Nor note the upturned fnre Whoso finely chiseled bcnuty lines Some proud man's homo would grace. A Hash of light falls on her face , So gentle nnd so kind. Good heavens ! Her eyeballs quick disclose Thai thu poor girl Is Mind ! A great throng from a neighboring church. And all with face nwry. Close button their warm overcoats And pour unheeding by. She novcr wronged n single soul ; Unsullied her fair fume , And yet nniong- that Christian throng Not ono could call her name. Ami now the parson comes along , The last of Hint sleek band ; He has no thought for such as she. Nor heeds her outstretched hand. So cold the nlRlit , so thinly clad , Freezing without n moan , Yet ho Is no more moved than though She were of wood or stone. And still she stands with hand. ' Her cold , mute lips nra dumb : O. sightless girl , of speech bereft , , \Vill succor novcr come ? \\lll no one note thy pleading mule ? Is Christian kindness dead ? Not dead ! Not dead ! A iilnful man , Heaven bless the man of sin , The clerk of the tobacco store , Who comes and wheels her In. COXMmiAMTIES. A man in South Portland , Me. , Is credited with the Intention to bring suit for divorce against lib wlfo on the ground that she Is ruining his health nnd unfitting him for business by her poor cooking. The west Is supposed to bo the region whore th" divorce habit 13 most prevalent , but at a Providence , It. I. , wedding , which took place tlio other day , four former hus bands of the bride acted as ushers. The town ot Lriwronceburg , Ky. , having Icsa than -1,030 Inhabitants , has fifty-two wldo.vs twice as many aa any ono would guess upon the first attempt. They are to bo given a dinner by a local bachelor on Valentino's day. Tom Lowe , a Dennlson. ( Tex. ) gayboy of 26 , has managed to accumulate a colony of sixteen wives In eight years. Lowe Is in Jail for disposing of mortgage * ! property , lie regards himself ns the meat practical ex ponent of the 1C to 1 principle In the Lone Star state. The engagement of Hyman Heln , a mem ber of His New York Bachelor's club. Is announced. The club is composed of twcnty-flvo members , and 'Mr. Hcin la obll- gatcjd to buy each of Jis ! associates a dress suit. Tliey will'cost hfni' 51,250 In'addition to the wedding expenses. The brldc-to-bo Is Miss Emmu Jcrkowski. If Howard Gould's brothers ami sisters do not give their consent to his marriage to Katharine Clcmmono ho will sacrifice more than JS.000.000. Jay Gould's will provided Hint If any of his children shall marry with out the concent of a majority of the execu tors and trustees then the share allotted to such child shall be reduced one-half , and the other half of such shares shall be trans ferred to such persons ns under the laws of the state of New York would take the same If the testator had died without making Kev. A. H. Burroughs , commonly known aa "Parson" Burroughs , who keeps the Nickels hourc , Just across the state line In Bristol. Term. , established a matrimonial altar there ecven years ago for the benefit of eloping couples from Virginia. The Virginia laws regulating marriage make It Impossible foa minors to marry In the t-tatc without the consent of parents or guardian. This provision has resulted In a fruitful business for Parson , Burroughs. During the seven years that this altar has been In exlBtenca Bristol's unique old minister , who preaches at the Baptist mission every Sun day night , has officiated In the marriage of Glfi eloping couples from Virginia and West Virginia , and with this remarkable record ho considers that his business Is yet In Its Infnnpv. Pnrfmn Tlnrrrvlifrha lina Hindu , , , , _ ward of ? 2,000 cut of this business. Monroe Skldmoro , a widower , aged 78 , and Mrs. Kelly , a widow , n ed C3 , re-siding near Ruma , III. , were engaged to be married , the wedding day being set for Christmas. At that date a largo number of guests gathered at the home of the prospective bride , but the groom failed to appear. He cent a k'tter saying he was 111 and unable to bo present and bidding the gucfts to partake of the wedding banquet provided , as the ceremony would have to be deferred a faw dayp. Mrs. Kelly went to the home of JILT ueiruiiiuu lu iiurai : mm uafit lu jieaiin , but was herself stricken down , dying on January 11 , Skldmore lingered until the 15th , when he , lee , passed away. The couple had been swoethearia In youth and wore engaged to bo married thep , but n lover's quarrel parted them. Each had been married and been divorced by death , and they had hoped to die as man and wife. They 'wero burled-side by sldo in ono gravo. A 1,1 KB I.KSSO.Y. * James Whltcomli nilcy. 'There ' , little girl , don't cry. They've broken your doll , I know , And your tea set blue And your toyhouao , too , Are things of the long ago ; Hut childish troubles will soon pass by ; There , little t'lrl , don't cry. There , llttlo girl , don't cry , They've broken your slate , I know , And the glad wild wnys Of your HchoolKlrl dnyrf Are things of tlui long ago ; Hut Ufa and love will soon como by ; There , llttlo girl , don't cry. There , llttlo girl , don't cry. They've broken your heart , I Itnow , And the rainbow gleams Of your youthful dreams Are tlilnpH of the long ago ; Hut lieavun holds all for which you slzh : There , llttlo girl , don't cry. Wlri * KiiiiuuN In English devotees of the hunt are meeting with occasional disaster on account of tin. ' growing habit among farmers of Inclosing their lands with wlro fences , sometimes barbed , In the place of rail fences. A few fanners are HO obliging na to take down thr m v/lrn fpnprs In Mmvlntnr. . nihnra tlo red rags on the wlro , o that the obstruc tion may bo announced In time to the her c- men , but a few farmers who are against the hunters on principle nay that If men are going to ride over their lands they can do BO at their own risk , and refuse to announce the presence of wlro , The other day a nix- season , mure , 'tis clever it hunting homo as was In the district , was literally cut to rags , tlio ntiaml of barbed wlro being run loosely through the top of a hedge and lapping around her llko a snake when fllio was brought down , The mare was chat and the rider escaped a broken neck only by a mir acle , Tlil happrncd In ono of the most fastilonublo hunting district * . An after theater thought , a bottle of Cook'a Imperial Kxtra Dry Champagne and then "sweet sleep. " GRANT'S FIRST COMMAND. The Young West Point Lieutenant Amazed the Home Militia. 1JJJ IIAMUIX OAllliAND. ( Copyright , 1SD7. by S. S. McClurc Company. ) In the good old days of our grandfathers In Ohio , general muster was n great event. Twlco each year , In April nnd In August , the law required the men of each county to nssemblo for general training In "tho manual of arms , " as It was often called. And the order was pretty generally obeyed. It was a chnnco for the Jockey to trade horses ; an opportunity for the women to gossip , a day of rest for the hired hands ; a meeting place for lovers ; a fair nnd Fourth of July with gingerbread and elder for the boys. To the soldiery It was a jolly farce. On the morning of August 20 , 1SII , the worm-eaten drums and the moldy fifes awoke nnd uttered such martial noise as they could , and from every 'nook nnd corner of the wooded land , on foot and on horseback the sturdy farmers and villagers of Hrown county took merry way toward Uussellvlllo , where , on a broad , smooth field , the training was appointed to bo hold. Kach mau brought such military accoutrements ns ho had , anil various and exceeding sorry were the uni forms which camn from garret pegs and out ot chests on this great day. Guns of nil eras , rllles of all lengths , shot guns , carbines , Illnt-.ocU muskets Spanish blunderbusses ; anything with lock , stock and barrel was considered worth bringing. These who had no guns waggishly caught up and carried worn-out brooms or stout corn stalks , nnd so It was that they were called "tho cornstalk brigade. " The olllccrs , pompous ns turkey cocks In their continental uniforms , ns colonels nnd generals struggled with fortitude to keep the exercises keyed to their martial dignity , which wns n hard task , Indeed. However , the Mexican war was brewing In 1S44 , excitement was running high , and an unusually large turnout of able-bodied citizens filled the lanes nnd the borders of the training field with a crowd of people , rather more martial-minded than of wont. The lanes In every direction were fenced In with horses , nnd trading went on In n score of places at once. Thrifty souls went through the crowd selling gingerbread and elder to the young beaux , and big copper cents changed hands wherever they went. Cider and gingerbread were the treating delicacies of that day. And In the midst of all the fife squeaked and wailed and the drum uttered Us rattling roar. Thcro was another matter of great Inter est which many , both old and young , wore discussing. Ulysses Grant , the tanner's son , was just returned from West Point as brevet second lieutenant , and as this was such an Important occasion , ho had been asked to drill tie ! regiment. Many of the young men had known the tanner's sou when ho was n bashful and re ticent schoolboy , and they wondered how he would succeed with the drill. Some of them had raught n glimpse of him In his ncntly-nttlng dark blue uniform nml IIQvliltn | trnnsprfl nnd cloves , nnd It was freely stated that ho was presumptuous to say the least. At last the hour came for the marching to begin The soldiery moved Into the broad , smooth lot. The olllccrs woofed and grumbled their unintelligible orders ; the men marched In comical disarray In position , the wags all carrying their brooms or corn stalks and grinning behind the olllccrs' backs. They seemed n sorry regiment. Then the people all began to look for the cadet. Ho kept position In one corner of the field , modestly waiting till the general should call him nnd turn over the command ( o him. He sat on his horse quite calm and graceful. The slgr.nl came , the slender , beardless young fellow galloped across the field , reined up and saluted In splendid Btylc , for It wns well known that no one' could excel him In horsemanship. The men peered curiously and somewhat disdainfully at the pale , Blender youth In his long blue coat and big epaulettes. He wore a cap , and around his slim walet was a red snsh. He looked to bo only a boy , but he astonished the men nnd won the admira tion of the boys and girls by his fine horse manship and by his complete mastery of the men. "ATTENTION. DATTALION ! " This first order mndo every man straighten up. It was the voice of a trained soldier. The old officers barked out their commands , LIEUTENANT GRANT REVIEWING THE TUOOP3. but Cadet , Grant's volco. high-keyed , but clear nnd calm , cut across the parade ground with the precision of a bugle. H wns his first command oulsido the academy , and ho felt a very human pride lu vindicating hlnMulf In the faces of those who had miccrcd nt him when lib went away four years before. Kor moro than an hour ho put the men through the simpler evolutions nnd the manual of arms. The fnrro became n gcrloiu and well-ordered drill. The men themselves felt the martial character ot the young ilrlllsmaster , and lent their host minds to the prompt execution of his orders. The spectator * ! voted It the best muster In years , nnd when It wo.J all over the old citizens and olllccrs carne to Cadet Grant to say : "You done nobly. It was a complete suc cess. " Being human , ho rejoiced In his uniform and In the splendor of command , being young ho found pleasure aUo In the sh ) glnnccs of admiring girls. Altogether It wen a red letter dny for the young soldier. The fame of It reached the "Gravel club , " a selfoppointcd "committee on the unlvcraj , " which met before the court house door , and that night the fame of the tanner' , ! boy cnmo to these regulators of all things hu man , nnd they reluctantly admitted hla abil ity , but said : "West Point done U. Weat Point made a man of Mm , " "M well "yen. " admitted ono who was the boy'a friend. "Hut at the same time West Point had surapthln' to work on , " It was several days utter thU that the young cadet was rlillng In the streets of Cincinnati , feeling very proud and. happy In hU now uniform and In the possession of a L-nnil homo , when n small street boy left the walk and ran beside his horse. Ho wu a ragged llttlo elf , grotesque ot hat and pantaloons , but his face was nlpplngly uhrewd. Ho ran beside the young uuhllcr'u horse long enough to utter these mystic words , worthy G vrocho : "Soldier , wilt you work ? No slrce , I'll sell my shirt first. " These words affected the world , for Ulys- ACI Grant never again took delight In a uniform , A FAMOUS Tnleiit Dlxiilnyeil by n -iv York Hoy. Harry Chauncey Smith , 13 yea re old , Is the name of ono of the most famous slngans In Now York City. When a toddling child 4 or S ycara of ago ho used to clug nvery none he heard nnd Inter began to pick out his accom paniment on the piano with one hand , but on thine occasions , when trying to "play llko a lady , " ho would only allow his sister to bo present. Ho would coax her Into the parlor , uliut the door and then beg to have the plnno opened. After this wns done ho would stand by the Instrument for houre , singing ( ho hymns ho had learned nt Sunday school nnd finding the notes to suit. When Harry was 0 years old his parents moved to New York City , and ho hocnino ono of the chorister boyii nt All Angels' Protestant Episcopal church. Two years Inter he , HARRY CHAUNCEY SMITH , AGED 13. covornl of his young companions , were trans- furred to the choir of draco church. Hero Harry's health Improved , his voice gained sweetness and power nnd he found himself ono of the most famous boys In lib country. Ho 1 a sweet-faced , delicate looking lad with large grny-bluo eyes and nhort blonde mlr. He Is small for his ago. nml has par ticularly sweet , gentle manners , though he rides n bicycle and Is devoted to dogs and flowers. Speaking of this his sister nays : "It would bo hard to tell which he H1c9 the most music or flowers. Ho will spend all his money on lloweis. nnd do all sorts of 1m- irudent thlt'ga for the nako of his music. 3no day during n dreadful snow storm ho iad a practice nt the church , and It seemed mposrilblo to kcrp him at home , although 10 had a bad cold. So wo sent out for a carriage , and ot course It took some llttlo time , all the while I had to be most posl- tlvo In refusing to allow him to start out before It came. Next to music 1 think ho likes aritl.metlc and history. Though until quite recently hehao disliked the former. bpp.iu.se. I fiimncae. he has Juiit bi'Kiin to understand It. During the minimcr months tlio whole family no to Canada , and Harry spends the holidays frolicking llko other boys. Music nnd boooks are forbidden , no hn takes long rldcM through the country on hU wheel , goes boating and Hailing on the I lakes , or runs wild through the wooita with his dogs. Each fnll he comes homo n trlflo taller and healthier looking , ready to work hard with his music nnd books. At the Christmas service of Grace church he eang ns a solo "Hear Ye , O Inracl. " It was the flnH tlmo the piece had ever been sung by a boy , and had he never done anything else the rendition of that piece would have made him Jamnus. His nnlary Is $10 per week ; Ills chorister clothes are given him , as well as free tui tion In music. J'ltATTMJ 01. ' T1IU YUi\tSTBII.S. : Mamma Johnny , when you feel angry , you should always count ton before you say any thing or do anything. Johnny Hut It takes too long. Small SUtc-r How do you s'pose peoples way up norf teep warm In do winter , Bobby ? Small Brother ( scornfully ) Why , what does you s'pose.do fur-twees Is for ? Mother When the boy In the other house threw stones nt you , why didn't you coma nnd toll me ? Hobby Because , mamma , I can throw them back better than you. He's moro likely to get hit. "Ho seems to take after his father , " sntil the visitor , "I don't when they Is appl dumplings , " volunteered the llttlo boy. "Ho don't leave none to tnko. " "What's the trouble , darling ? " JamKa mumiim asked , a a .1)10 ) caught the boy to lice heart. "This morning , when mo and Tonm.y , Towson was coming homo In the street ear. " j the poor child sobbed , "tho conductor iutu ! mo back " cents and charged Tammy a n ' ! 1 : And he's a month younger than me , tuo - ] boo hoe ! " I Toinmlc Maw , can the devil do ariih- | mode ? Mother Why , Tomnile , mich a qu s- tion ! Toinmlo Well , paw raid today jouj bills multiplied to beat the devil , The now archbishop of Canterbury Is na ! ( to bo n Mancli temperance advocate , um onjojs the distinction of being the grcates consumer of tea , as well nu tlm worot dicKttu member of tlio clergy. In England. < ; ? * : % * r * s Are you ft smart cppii. -j tr v ' \ fr'l Wo iflvo { UM unny In iicl/ratotlii'sonlilutii ninkotliu InrKiTt INt r > f wiiniilniiiit i wi > iilli ( ; . Hl'tJitMULU. Vbitcnn mnliu nt lcuf > t tupiity , wo 1-olluvi' , anil If yuii c n you will nut n | ircs- V11llr J > 'jalul liyuiic 1M fa tliw Inrrrtl you will iot JIO.WJ tn cn li. Iloiu nro the III Ion tn follow : Uhii only woi'iH In tli6 UnuIUii Inituuimii. lo lint line miy laii-M In a wont more llnu-i limn H npiu-iim In 1(1 ( % lK. Wor.tn cinly cuco. i ; a nny illdlonary.mi'l ' woallow tu bo counted i > rier / IIOUIIH , pronoun * jiro imato wunl. thu way ; lit rj' i > "no , rlji , , r , \ < , te , , : . VIP | " ' . ' , ' ' tobi W ) ! ° ( la ' Usu tliu.io uoiila. J'lio imbllnlier of Till ) AUEIIIOAH WOUAM Will I'lvo itwuy , on April lu. tha Bum of 5H J , illtlitvU Into VI tirlzcs for thu lurirett ll ti of word * uiauavo. flOtothoprr * win iiinVlnif th Jaiveiit . . _ , JIM ; JIO Jor the ice ' ne5\ ' ' wplJIM i W ? Vlor | / tlio 4 uVt Jani end II for imch of tha next 13 jarucat lists , \V ivnnt you to know our rajwr , Biid ft | i for IliU r-a on we offer thw.0 prcijifuinK.Vo nwke no oilrii cl rira Jor the privlloKo of eiitcrlntf tbli wonUbulldTnir KOIH te t. butHliiif.cfiji.nryt'ii.ena luMcenu niivnroe Mauitii , for which we will Bond you our hamlinmq 'lluntratHl M imKC.ltuwdna tut ulx inoii ii . tnd liWAHllfuiall 'vahoi'ori J nid ypuTlfsVat iiiic r/'youi ( wfa oim o't"fhi."wtefl ( ullliLtil la our JI yluu . . WOIUM , ii j > ud inViumq