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
