10 THE OMAHA DAILY BEB : : ! SUNDAY , tABCH 14 , 1897.
AARON IN THE WILD WOODS 3
$ &
w * -
The Story of a Southern Swamp. - $
By JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
. .
.
MMk. hAb Wftfr Ab A llM fc * ' ! > Vlfr A
( Copyright , 1 97 , by Joel Chandler Harris. )
vr.
> f I TUB HUNT ENDS.
H will bo seem that .Mr. Jim Simmons , In
till crude way , was a very shrewd reasoner.
Ho didn't ' 'guess ; " ho "reckoned ; " and It
cannot bo denied that he came very near the
truth. You will remember that when wo
children play hldo-thc-swltch the ono that
bides It guides thoao who are hunting ( or It
by making certain remarks. When they aro"
near where the switch Is lild , the Wder saya !
"You burn ; you Are aflro , " but when they
get further nway from the hiding place the
word Is : "You nro cold ; you are freezing. "
In hunting for Aaron , Mr. Jim Simmons was
burning , for ho had como very close to solv
ing the iiroblem that the fugitive had set for
htm.
htm.Mr. . Simmons was so sure ho was right In
hie reasoning that ho cheered Ms dogs on
lustily and touched up bis mare. .George
Gocsett did the same , and dogs , horses , and
men went careering along the plantation road
to the river landing. The sun was now nhovo
the tree tops , and the chill air of the morn
ing was beginning to surrender to Us In
fluence. The course of the river was marked
out In mld-alr by a thin line of blue mist
that hung wavering above the stream.
The dogs .ran crying to the landing , and
thcro they stopped. Ono of the younger
hounds was for wading across ; but Sound ,
the leader , know better than that. Ho ran
down the river bank a hundred yards and
then circled back across the fluid until ho
reached a point some distance above tbo
landing. Then ho returned , his keen nose
always to the ground , At the landing ho
waited until Mr. Simmons came up , and then
ho looked across the river and whined
eagerly.
Mr. Simmons scuffled to bo very lucky that
morning , for Just as bo and George Qossctt
galloped to the landing a boatload of field
hands started across from the other side , old
Uncle Andy coming with It to row It back.
On the other aide , too , Mr. Simmons saw a
lady standing a trim figure dressed In black
and near her a negro boy was holding a
horae that she had evidently ridden to the
landing. Tills was the lady to whom Uncle
Andysomctlmcs referred as Sally Ward , and
for whom ho bad a sincere affection. The
river was not wldo nt the landing , and the
boatload of field hands , propelled by four
muscular arms , was not long In crossing. As
the negroes jumped ashore Sound went among
them and examined each one with his nose ,
but ho returned to the landing and looked
acrocs and whined. They ealutcd Mr. Sim-
mono and George Gossett politely , and then
went on their way , whistling , singing , and
cracking jokes and laughing loudly.
"Was a bateau missing from this side this
morning ? " Mr. Simmons asked Undo Andy.
"Suh7" Undo Andy put his hand to his
ear , affecting to _ bo very anxious to hear what
Mr. Simmons Cad said.
Tho. question was repeated ; whereat Uncle
Andy laughed loudly.
"You slio Is a witch fer guereln' , suh ! How
como you know 'bout do mlssln' boat ? "
Mr. Simmons smiled under this flattery.
"I thought maybe a boat would bo missing
from this sldo this morning , " ho said.
'Dey eho wuz , suh ; but I dunner how do
name cr goodness you como tor know 'bout
It , kaso I wuz on do bank cross dar 'fo'
'twuz light , en I alnt ECO you on dls side.
Yes , suh ! Do boat wuz gone. Dey foun' It
'bout a mlle down do river , en on account
or do shoals down dar , dey bad tor take It
out'n do water en fetch It back ycr In do
nraggln. Yes , suh ! dish yer do ve'y boat. "
"Where's the ford ? " Mr , . Simmons Inquired.
"I usad to know , but I've forgotten. "
"Right below yer , suh ! " replied Uncle
Andy. "You'll see de patt whar do stock cross
at. B'nr down stream , sub , twcl you half
way cross , den b'ar up. Ef you do dat , you
won't git yo' stirrup wot. "
The ford was easily found , but the crossing
was not at all comfortable. In fact. Undo
Andy bad maliciously given Mr. Simmons
the wrong directions. The two men rode
Into the water , bore down the stream , nnd
their horses were soon floundering In deep
water. They soon touched bottom
again , and In a few moments they were safe
on the opposite bank safe , but dripping
wet , nnd In no very .good humor. Mr. Slru-
inons's dogs , obedient to his call , followed
lila horse Into the water , and swam across.
Sound clambered out , shook himself , and
ran back to the landing where the lady was
waiting for the boat to return. It had been
Mr. Simmons' Intention to proceed at once
down the rher to the point where the boat
bad been found , and where ho was sure the
dogs would pick up the scent of the runaway ;
but bo found that the way was Impassable
for horses. Ho must needs go to the landing
and Inqulro the way.
Undo Andy had just made the middle seat
In the bateau more comfortable for Ills mis
tress by placing Ills coat , neatly folded , on
the hard plank , and Mrs. Ward was pre
paring to accept the old negro's Invitation
to "git aboard , Mlstlss , " when Mr. Sim
mons and George Gossott rode up. Both
raised their hats as the lady glanced to
ward Uicm. They wore hardly la a condi
tion to prcssnt themselves , Mr. Simmons ex
plained , and then ho Inquired with as much
politeness as bo could command how to
reach the place where the missing boat
bad been found ,
"Tho missing boat ? Why , I never heard
of It till now. Was ono of the bateaux miss
ing this morning.
"Yessum , When do flshln1 good en de
niggers put out < Jor Eethooks , day ain't
many mornln's In do week dat ono er < le
yuther cr dezo boats ain't mlssln' ! "
"I never heard of that before. "
"No , Mlstlss ; do boys 'low you wouldn't
keer nohow. Dey runs dera over the shoals
en dnr doy leaves urn. " |
"But both bateaux are here , "
"Ycssuin , We fetches uin back 'round' ' by
de road In de waggln. "
"Who carried the bateau over the shoals
this morning ? "
"Ale , ma'am. Nobody ain't know nuttln'
t all 'bout It 'but do two Elllks , en when
dar nr gommun dar ax mo ties now If dey
want a boat mlssln' fuin 'roun' yer dls
mornln' , hit sorter flung mo back on tnygo'f.
I 'lov\i 'Yes , sub , ' but he she flung mo back
on myse'f , "
Undo Andy began to chuckle eo heartily
that Ills inUtrcss aslted him what ho was
laughing at , though she well knew ,
" 1 hit myro'f on do funny bone , Mlstlss ,
en when dat's do case I blccdgo ter laugh , "
At this the lady laughed , and It was a
genial , merry , and musical laugh. Mr Sim
mons smiled , but so grimly that It had the
appearaneo of a threat ,
"And w this la Mr. Simmons , the famous
negro hunter ? " eald Mrs. Word. "Well ,
Mr. Simmons , I'm glad to eea you. 1'vo long
had something to say to you , Whenever you
are ecnt for to catch ono of my negroes I
want you to come straight to th house on
the hill yonder and ect your dogs on mo.
When one of my negroes goes to the woods ,
you may know It's my fault. "
"Trufe , too ! " remarked Undo Andy , under
hl breath , but loud enough for all to hear ,
"That may bo so , ma'am , " replied Mr. Sim
mons ; "but among a paosel of niggers you'll
flnd eome bad OUCH. What little pleasure I
get out of this business la In seeing and
bearing my dogs run. Somebody's got to
catch the runaways , and It might as well
bo mo as anybody. "
"Why , certainly , Mr. Simmons. You have
become celebrated. Your name Is trumpted
bout In all the counties round. You are
bolter known than a great many ot our rlo <
Ing young politicians. "
The lady's manner was very gracious , but
there was a gleam of humor In her eye.
Mr. Simmon * didn't know whether sbo was
laughing Bt blju o.r paying him a compli
ment ; but bo thought It would ba safe to
change the subject.
"May I ask tbo old man tbore a few ques
tions ? " ! Inquired . . ,
"Wby7 cYrfalnly , " Mrs. Ward responded ,
' 'Dross-examine him to your heart's content.
But bo careful about II , Mr , Simmons. He's
old and feeble , and his mind Is not as good
* a It used to bo. I heard him telling the
house girl last night that be was losing hli
tenses , " i
"Do lawsy ro esy , mlstlssl You know I
wuz des projlckln' wld dat gal , Doy ain't
m'cr nigger la de country got any mo' sense
dan what I got. You know dat yo'es'f. "
"Wai anybody with you. In tbo bateau
when you went down the river this morn
ing ? "
"Yes , tuh , dey wuz , " replied Undo Andy ,
solemnly. ,
"Who was It ? " i
" suh "
"Well ,
"Don't get oxcltcd now , Andrew , " his mis
tress Interrupted , "Tell Mr. Simmons tbo
truth. You know your weakness. "
If Undo Andy'a skin had been white or
oven brown , Mr. Simmons would have seen
him blushing violently. Ho knew his mis
tress wan making fun of him , but ho was not
less embarrassed on that account. Ho looked
at Mrs , Ward and laughed.
"Speak right out , " said that lady. "Who
was with you In the bateau ? "
"Little Essek , ma'am my gran'chll' . I'm
blccdgo tcr have some un 'long fcr ter hoi * do
boat steady when I go tcr look at my set-
hooks. Little Essck wuz do fust ono I see ,
en I holler'd nt Mm. "
"Did anybody cross from the other sldo this
morning ? " asked Mr. Simmons.
"Not dat I knows un , less'n It wuz Crld-
dlo's Jerry. He's ' got a wife at do Aber-
cromblo place. Ho fetch Marco Cilddlo's
buggy to bo worked on at our blackamlf
shop , en he rid do mule homo dls mornln' ,
Llttlo Essck had 'cr down ycr 'bout daylight
waltln' fcr Jerry , kaze ho say ho got ter bo
homo soon of not befo' . "
Undo Andy had an Imagination. Jerry
had brought the buggy and had ridden the
mule home. Ho also bad a wife at the Aber-
cromblo place , but his master had given him
wood tree , " eald Aaron. "Hide In the grass
near there , and when they pats , come charg
ing after. "
The dogs came nearer and nearer , and the
Swamp could hear Mr. Simmons cheering
them on. As for Mr. Simmons , ho was sure
of one thing the dogg were trailing either a
wildcat or a runaway. Ho had never trained
them not to follow the scent ot n wildcat ,
and ho now regretted It , for his keen ear ,
alive to differences that would never attract
the attention of those who had never made/
a study of the temperament of dogs , detected
a more eavago note In their cry than he
was accustomed to hear. Nor did his car
deceive him. Sound was following the scent
of Aaron , but his companions were trailing
Rambler , who had accompanied Aaron , and
this fact gave a fiercer twang to their cry.
When Aaron was going from Gossctt's to
the river landing , Hamblcr was not trotting
at his heels , but scenting ahead , sometimes
far to the right and at other times far to
the left. But In going from the river to the
swamp It was otherwise. Hamblcr had to
bold his head high to prevent Aaron's hcol
from striking him on the under jaw. Ills
scent lay with that of the sen of lieu All.
For that reason .Mr. Simmons was puzzled
by the peculiar cry of the dog : . He ha.l
trained them not to follow the scent of hares ,
coons , and foxes , and If they were not trail *
Ing a runaway , ho know , or thought ho know ,
that they must bo chasing a wildcat , I'luto ,
the crop-cared catch-dog , galloped to his
master's horse. Ho was a flcrce-looklnw
brute , but Mr. Simmons knew that ho would
bo no match for a wildcat.
When the dogs entered the swamp Mr.
Simmons tried to follow , but ho soon found
hla way barred by the underbrush , by the
trailing vines , the bending trees , the rank
canes. Ho must needs leave his horse or
lead It when ho entered the swamp. Ho
chose to do neither , but sat In his saddle
and waited , Pluto waiting with him , ready to
go In when the word was given.
When the hounds entered the swamp they
were In full cry. They struggled through
the vines , the briers and the canes , and
THE SWAMP HAD A' ' GREAT FHOLIC THAT NIGHT.
no "pass" to visit her , thinking It might de
lay his return. .For that reason Jerry did
not cross tbo river tbo night before.
"And hero wo'vo been chasing Crlddlo's
Jerry all the morning , " remarked George
Gossett toMr. . Simmons. "Pap was right. "
"But what was the nigger doing nt your
place ? " i Mr. Simmons was still arguing the
matter In his mind.
"Don't ask me , " replied George Gossett.
"Doy ain't no countln' for a nigger , sub , "
remarked Undo Andy affably. "Doy alnt
no 'countln' for 'em when dey ol * 'cz I is ,
much less when dey young en sooplo like
Crlddlo's Jerry. "
Under the circumstances there was noth
ing for Mr. Simmons and young Gossett
to do but to turn about short and recross
the river. It was fortunate for them that
a negro boy was waiting to take Mrs. Ward's
horse across the river. They followed him
into the ford , and made the crossing with
out difficulty. Then the two men held a
council of war. Undo Andy had another
name for it. "I wish you'd look at uni
jugglln' , " bo said to his mistress , as lie
helped her from the batteau.
George Gossett was wet , tired and dis
gusted , and ho would not hear to Mr. Sim
mons' proposition to "beat about the bushes"
in the hope that the dogs would strike
Aaron's trail. "Wo started wrong , " ho
said. "Let's go homo , and when we try
for the nigger again , let's start right. "
"Well , tell your father I'll bo back the
day after tomorrow If I don't catch his nig
ger. I'm obliged to go homo now and
change my duds if I don't strike a trail.
It's a true saying that there's moro mud
than water in Oconeo. I'll take a short
cut. I'll go up the river a mlle or such
a matter and rldo across to Dawson's old
mill road , That will take mo homo by dinner
tlmo. "
As It happened , Mr. Simmons didn't take
dinner at homo that day , nor did ho return
to Gossett's at the tlmo ho appointed.
Ho called his dogs and turned his horse's
head up stream.Ho followed the course of
the river for a mlle or moro and then bore
away from It. Whllo ho was riding along ,
lost in his reflections , ho suddenly heard
Sound giving tongue far ahead. That sa
gacious dog had unexpectedly hit on Aaron's
trail , and he lost no tlmo In announcing the
fact as loudly as ho could. Mr , Simmons was
very much surprised.
"If that blamed dog Is fooling me this
tlmo I'll feel llko killing him , " he remarked"
to himself. The rest of the dogs joined In
and they were all soon footing It merrily
In the direction of the big swamp.
The blue falcon , circling high In the air ,
suddenly closed her wings and dropped Into
the leafy bosom ot the swamp , This was the
first messenger. That red Joker , the Fox
'
Squirrel'had heard the walling cry of tlio
hounds , and scampered down the big plno.
Half-way down ho made a flying leap Into
the live oak , and then from tree to tree
ho went running , scrambling , jumping.
But .let him go never so fast , the blue
falcon was before him , and let tbo blue fal
con swoop never eo swiftly , the message was
before her. For the Whlto Grunter had ears.
Ooft ! ho had heard the eamo walling eound
when the hounds were after him ; but gooft !
that was before bo know what tusks were
for. And Rambler had ears. In fact , the
Swamp Itself had ears , and for a few mo
ments It held Its breath ( as the saying Is )
and listened. Listened Intently , and then
quietly , cautiously and serenely began to
dispose ot Itc forces. Near the big poplar
Aaron bad a pllo of stones. They bad been
selected to fit his band ; they were not too
largo nor too small ; they were pot too
light nor too heavy. This plio of stones
was Aaron's ammunition , and he took his
stand by It , U I >
The Whlto Pig rosa slowly from his bed
of mud , where ho bad been wallowing , and
shook himself. Then he scratched himself
by rubbing bis side against a beech tree.
The Brlndlo gteer slowly dragged lilmsejl
through ( be canes ana tall grass , and tame
to Aaron'a tree , whera he pauied with uucb
a loud algh tbat Rambler jumped away.
" la the track " be
"It dogs , nald.
fYasj I'm sorry , " replied Aarooi When tbo
big black dog comes stand aside and leave
blta to me. "
Gooft ! not If It'a the one tbat chewed uy
ear. " remarked the Wblte Pie ,
"I came In thla morning by the tbuoiler-
] splashed through the spreading , arms of the
i lagoon. Suddenly they ceased to cry. Then
I Mr. Simmons heard a strongs snarling and
snapping , an ominous crashing , fierce snort
ing and then howls and bcreams ot pain from
his hounds.
"A cat , by jlng ! " ho exclaimed aloud. In
tent on saving his hounds If possible he gave
Pluto the word , and that savage brute
plunged into the swamp with gleaming red
and eager eyes.
Mr. Simmons never really1 know what 'hap '
pened to his hounds , but the swamp knew.
When they splashed past the Whlto Pig that
fierce guardian of the swamp sprang from
his lair and rushed after them. Thsy tried
hard to escape , but the hindmost was caught.
The white pig ran by his side for the space
of three full seconds , then , lowering his head
ho raised it again with a less sldewlse , and
the hound was done for ripped from flank
to backbone as neatly as a butcher could
have done It. Another was caught on the
horn of the red steer and flung sheer into
the lagoon. Sound , the leader , fell into
Rambler's Jaws , nnd some bad scores were
settled there and then. Pluto came charging
blindly In. Us saw the White Pig and made
for him , experience telling him that the hog
will run when a dog Is after it ; but experience
did him small service here. The Whlto Pig
clurged to meet him , seeing which Pluto
swerved , to ono side , but he was not nimble
enough. With a downward swoop and an
upward sweep of his snout the Whlto Pig
caught Pluto under the shoulder with his
tusk and gave him a taste of warfare In the
swamp. Another dog would have left the
field , but Pluto had a temper. He turned
and rushed at the Whlto Pig , and the swamp
prepared to witness a battle royal. But Just
then there was a whizzing , Keening sound
In the air , a thud , and Pluto tumbled over
and fell In a heap. Aaron had ended the
cur's career as suddenly as if ho had been
blown to pieces by a cannon. There was one
stone missing from the store oC ammunition
at the foot of the big poplar.
Meanwhile , Rambler was worrying Sound ,
and the Whlto Pig , seeing no other enemy
In sight , went running to tbo scene of that
fray. His onslaught was so furious that
Ramblsr thought it good manners to get out
ot Grmiter's way. So ho lowed his hold on
Sound , and jumped aside. Sound was still
able to do some jumping on bis oivn ac
count , and bo turned tall and ran , just as
the Whlto Pig was about to trample him
under foot. 'But ' he was not quick enough
to cscapo with a whole skin. The tusk ot the
Whlto Pig touched htm on the bind leg , and
where it touched It tore.
Mr , Simmons had five dogs when be came
to tbo Swamp. Sound came out to htm after
the morning's adventure , but had to bo car
ried homo across the saddle bow. Two days
later another ot the dogs went limping home.
Three dogs were loft in the Swamp , Mr.
Simmons blow his horn , and called thorn for
some lime , and then ho slowly went home.
Ho had a great tale to toll when he got
thero. Ills dogs bad jumped a wildcat at
the river , chased him to the Swamp , and
tbero they found a den of wildcats. There
was a great fight , but three of tbo dogs were
killed , and the cats were so fierce that It was
as much as Mr. Simmons could do to escape
with his life. Indeed , according to his tale ,
the biggest cat followed him to tbo edge of
the Swamp. And he told this moving tale
so often tbat ho really 'believed It , and felt
tbat ho was a sort of hero.
As for the Swamp , it had a rare frolic tbat
night. All the mysteries came forth and
danced , and the Willis-Whistlers piped as
they bad never piped before , and old Mr.
Bullfrog joined In with his fine bast voice.
And the next morning Mr. Buzzard , who
roosted in tbo loblolly pine , called bis sani
tary committee together , and soon there was
'nothing ' left of Pluto and bis companions , to
pester tbo Swamp.
I ; ( To lie Coat'lnued. )
A KING'S 11ISD. 'i
i ! . 1 >
Quaint Account of ( he Make-Up of a
lloyul Couch.
Uvery one know * the famous tale ot the
princess who could not sleep 'becauie under
bcr many mattresses a pea was lodged. In
reality the ancient royalties were just as
fussy , to Judge from the strange rules of
etiquette which surrounded the most trivial
objects. They couH hover appear In pub
He without ceremonl s.of all kinds and cere
monies were used idtho baking of plea anil
In the making of bdds. The following is a
true account of the way hid majesty , Henry
VII. of EnglaBfl , ijibiils royal bed made.
It Is taken from an < bdrmai1" ! crlpt , and It Is
certainly amusing : T""Mio curtains mutt "
drawn nnd a gentleman usher must hold the
curtains together ; 'ttitn must two squires
ot the body stand at 'the ' bed's head , and
two yeomen of lho crowh at the bed's feet ,
and all of the stuffl laid safe at the bed's
feet on a carpet till the contents ot the
pallbatae were remade. Then a yeoman to
leap upon the bed anil roll him up and
down and array the litter ; then to lay down
the canvas again , thcri the feather bed Mid
beat It well and make It even and smooth.
Then lake the fustian ( under blanket ) , and
cast It upon the bed without any wrinkles
and the sheet in the same wise. " The sheet
Is now stroked smooth , tucked under the
feather bed and over it laid "t'other stuff , '
that Is to say , the upper sheet , .blankets
and fustian , and the covering of martin's
fur and ermine. A sheet of Hennas was
laid on the spot destined for the pillows ,
and a largo rug of ermine was placcdover
the bed , and the bedclothes wcro brought up
to the edge of the pillows and neatly turned
down. Finally "a yeoman was required to
beat the pillows and throw them up to the
squires to lay them on the bed
head , as plcaseth the king's grace. " No
wonder lhat squires , gentlemen nnd yeomen
retired after these efforts , and , as the
chronicler assures us , had a good drink.
A FAMOUS L13AP.
The Seolclmiiiii Who Jmtipcil Over a
1'nrly of Mounted
"What Is ono ot the best athletic exercises
for a boy ? "
This was a question put to the director of a
gymnasium and the reply came without hesi
tation , "leaping. " Next to leaping he placed
running nnd walking. In learning to leap
the most simple and -harmless mode Is to
Jump on level ground from ono point to
another , either taking .1 run or not before
the leap Is attempted , as ono chooses.
The run , however , gives a certain Impetus
to the body and consequently enables a per
son to accomplish a far greater distance than
when attempted without such assistance. It
is of the first Importance tbat the breath be
drawn In and retained during the tlmo of the
gt' atest effort , which gives the chest more
capability of supporting the rest of the mem
bers , forces the blood Into the muscular parts
and Increases their strength ,
The two great essentials for good nnd safe
leaping arc lightness and firmness.
A very simple apparatus on which to piac-
tlco jumping a height may bo constructed by
fixing two square poles about four feet apart
In the ground ; drive wooden pegs Into the
back ot each , with an Inch space between
them , on which a light wand may be placed
In such a manner that It touched accidentally
It will fly from the leaper and not cause him
to fall to the ground. In leaping without a
run the legs and feet must be placed firmly
together , the toes at the mark , the. knees
bent well up , the head held forward and the
hands thrown up above the shoulders. Thus
prepared the body must be thrown fonvird
with a sudden Jerk. Caution is necessary to
descend with a forward inclination and on
the ball of the foot , so as to touch thu
ground lightly and thus deaden the shock by
the spring of the feet and legs.
In taking a long leap It Is not necessary to
Jump high but even this applies only to a.
certain extent , ns too low a Jump completely
frustrates the design. In leaping with a run
the best distance Is * from eighteen to twenty-
flvo paces.
It Is well to practice taking the spring from
both feet , as well as from either separably.
The most extraordinary modern leap on
record was that of a Scotchman , who leaped
over a party of mounted dragoons with their
swords drawn.
I * V1A' " - - - -
A PromlHcnoiin Display of China of
Significant Colorn.
She was a daintily dressed young- mother
and Justly proud ! of the curly headed bpy In
his natty salloi * suit who sat by her side on
the street car , Ofocourse , he was not like
other boys- relates the Detroit Free Press ,
yet he was just enough tainted with Juvenile
humanity to keep squirming llko an eel in
restricted quarters.
"Do keep quiet , Hallle , " she said In gentle
tones. "Can't you look out the window or
play that you were goingon a long Journey
with mamma ? "
But the Infant had his own Idea of amuse
ment. Taking his. . cap from his fair hair ho
swept the ribbons aside and placed the 'silk-
lined headgear on his knees. Then ho put
a chubby , dimpled hand Into cither pocket
and they came out filled with red , white and
blue disks , of composition such as serves In
some cases as a substitute for1 ivory. Those
that didn't rattle to the floor went into the
cap which the little fellow placed on the
seat , while ho chased up these that had
escaped. '
The mother's countenance became a beauti
ful scarlet. Worldly men on the car laughed
and winked at ono another. Good old ladles
Emlled In sympathy where they might have
frowned had they known more , for the disks
wore unmistakably poker chips.
"Why , Halllo , where In the. world did you
get those things ? " asked the pretty matron.
"Somo naughty boy must have given them
to you. "
"Nope , " shouted the cherub. "Found the
pretty things in papa's verllse behind the
trunk. Whole lot of beau-ful picture cards
there , too. S'pect he was goln' to glvo 'em
to Halllo nex' Chrls'mus. I don't wanter
lose none of 'em , " as ho dived between the
legs of a fat man who was approaching that
condition where ho would have to explode
or roar aloud.
"Never mind the rest , dear , " urged the
mother , as she rose with charming dignity
and signaled the conductor. "Wo get off
here. "
"No wo don't , " Instated the Irrepressible ,
"It's moro'n a mlle yet. " " I
But she hurried forth with him on ono
hand and his cap in the other. Then there
was a great clatter of poker chips on the
asphalt.
I'llATTLE Olf TUB YOUNGSTERS.
Rural teacher What current event of
great interest can you glvo me this mornIng -
Ing ? Small girl ( eagerly ) My ma has Just
made twenty tumblers of jell
"Maw , I know why Freedom shrieked
when .Kosdusko . fell. " "Well , Tommy ? "
" 'Cauro she know sbo couldn't pronounce
his name. "
"Mamma , I know why these clothes of
mine are too tight. " Well , Wllllo , why
Is It ? " " 'Cause when the tailor measured
mo for 'em I hadn't had my dinner , "
Papa I'm surprised that you are at the
foot ot your class , Tommy. Why aren't you
at the head sometimes , like little 'Willie
Blgbee ? Tommy You see , papa , Willie's
got an awfully smart father , and I guess ho
tak s after him.
In Boston : Teacher Is there not some
familiar proverb illustrating the practical
advantage of exercising forethought ? Highbrowed -
brewed Juvenile Yes , sir. A decagram of
prevention Is worths a hectogram of cure.
I'rlicfH for Jlli4' Huail Itucc.
OMAHA , March 12. To the Sporting Editor
of The Bee : Wo lioreby make the following
special prize offers to the winners in the
annual Decoration < Jayroad race , If held and
conducted by the Associated Cycling Clubs
of Omaha and sanctioned by the League ot
American Wheelmen racing board , If neces
sary , providing there are eighteen contest
ants enter and finish in this race :
First To the winner of the first prize , If
made on a Rambler-bicycle , fitted with G ,
& J. tires , a gold brlok , the value of which
shall be { 50.
Second To the winner of the tlmo prlzo , If
made on a Rambler bicycle , fitted with G.
& J , tires , a gold brick , the value of which
shall bo $50. I
Should there bo a separate race for
amateurs we will glvo gold prizes accord
ingly. , t _ FM. _ . RUSSEL. a
The GriinUent Itemed ? .
Mr. R. B. Greeve , merchant of Chllhowle ,
Va. , certifies that be had consumption , was
given up to dlo , sought all medical treat
ment that money could procure , tried all
cough remedies be could hear of , but got
no relief ; spent many nights sitting up In a
chair ; was Induced to try Dr. King's New
Discovery , and was cured by use of two
bottles. For past three years has been at ;
tending to business , and says Dr , King's
New Discovery U the grandest remedy ever
made , as It has done so much for him am !
Also for others In bis community. Dr. Klng'r
New Discovery Is guaranteed for Cougbt
Colds and Coniumptlon. It don't fall. Trial >
bottles free at Kuhn & Co.'s drug store.
- " ' ' -J .1.1 - jjj . j jm- . L -E. . - -
.
. .
WflCnJNdWdLD
The assertion Is inado by cycle irado
papers that the National Cycle Board of
Trade has concluded to abandon Its annual
exhibition. Tills declaration does not mean
tbo abandonment of cycle shows. Far from
It. They will continue as long as devotees
of the wheel foot thebills. . As long as thcro
Is money in It , means will bo found to glvo
a show , and trade rivalry Insures the ex
hibits ,
There Is no better Illustration of the bi
cycle fever than the fact that thousands of
people In every city put up good money to
sco nn exhibit of goods for sale. Ninety
thousand people saw the Chicago show and
over 100,000 paid for a similar privilege In
New York. It Is said that the managers
of the Omaha show , cleared $1,000. In no
other business Is such results possible.
What docs It all amount to ? The only sub
stantial gain to the visitor la the saving ot
time that would otherwise bo required 111
examining cycle wares In the several stores.
In the show , the various wheels and accessories
series are grouped and inspection Is con
venient. Ib Is not n question whether that
advantage Is worth the prluo ot admjsalon.
As long as wheel fans pay the price , so
long will the dealers show their wares and
Ignore th6 edicts of trade boards.
The bicycle agents In the big houses In
this city Btato that the demand for now
wheels this year Is very largo. The nil-
Important question with the new riders is ,
What Is the proper gear to rldo ? Up to
last season riders were content with sixty-
eight nnd seventy-Inch gears , but now riders
Bceni to think that to use a sixty-eight gear
Is to bo behind the times. A well known
rider , discussing the gear problem , says :
"Theoretically speaking , the high gear Is
a splendid thing , but la actual practice It
Is not so good. When a rider selects a new
wheel weighing about a pound less than
his previous mount , he in most cases throws
away all the advantages of the saving' In
weight by the addition of a few more teeth
to tbo front sprocket , and then condemns
the wheel ns hard running , when the fault
is really all his own. Let the abnormal
eighty-six and ninety-inch gear go. Try
a soventy-two-lnch gear with about six and
three-quarters-inch cranks , and see If the re
sults nro not much more satisfactory. "
president McKlnley has put his foot down
on the acceptance of gifts by members of
his household. A western manufacturer of
bicycles made n beautiful wheel for Miss
Grace McKinley , the president's niece , and
sent it to her by express. It was silver-
plated in parts , had some gold-mounted
trimmings , and was provided with all known
accessories. Including a charming little
bouquet holder on the handle bar. Miss
McKinley , who Is the president's ward , was ,
of course , delighted with the wheel , ns any
enthusiastic bicyclist would bo. She was
very eager to mount It and take a rldo upon
the smooth asphalt pavements of the capital.
But "Uncle Will , " as the young people of
the party call the president , said the wheel
would have to go back to the maunfacturcr
with a pollto note of declination. And. It
went. i
The bicycle has coaxed us all out of
doors , remarks the Now York Herald.
Spindle-shanked humanity has managed to
get some flesh on his bones , and the young
woman who believed in" rouge now accepts
fresh 'air as a substitute. This glorious ex
ercise , followgiby-a glorious appetite three
times a day'and by * sound sleep at night. Is
making us all over again ; but nevertheless
there is something better than the bicycle
In the future ; possibly a horseless carriage
which will convert us all Into glob'e trotters
In companies of ten , or possibly a balloon
or" flying machine which will cnablo us to
loaf among the stars. Wo nro grateful for
what we have , but , llko Oliver Twist , we
should Hko a little more.
An Irish journal asserts that the daughters
o'f Erin were trouble last season by the
largo size of the pedals on the wheels which
English manufacturers sold them ; , and It
Is further alleged that the small feet of the
Irish ladles are lost in the shoes that are
made to fit tbo feet of Englishwomen.
All talk of the bicycle face having prac
tically died out , the foes of the wheel have
now trotted out another scarecrow , claiming
that ns a result of wheeling women are be
coming loud talkers , with an unpleasant
quality of voice. They assert that wheeling ,
especially with the mouth open , has a detri
mental effect on the vocal chords , and when
to this Is added the strain to which the
voice Is subjected In an effort ( to keep up a
conversation while cycling , the danger
seems something more than a shadow. Some
persons who have made voice culture a llfo
study are inclined to fall In with these
views , asserting that exercise on the wheel
is responsible for an apparent alteration In
the voices of women. A Chicago vocal
teacher saya : I
"While bicycle riding people frequently fill
their lungs with dust , and this Is , of course ,
Injurious. Then the exercise leaves the sys
tem exhausted and unable to resist , the bad
effects of exceajlve perspiration. A severe
cold is detrimental to the speaking voice ,
and when thcso colds are frequent , as they
are with bicyclists , they will ultimately re
sult In permanent Injury. If women would
ride but a few miles at a 'time ' and would
keep their mouths closed there would bo
no danger , but I find that many of my pupils
cannot refrain from overdoing the sport. "
In the shod In the Grand Central station ,
Now York City , where all the Incoming
trains stop , a huge bicycle rack has been
erected. It Is directly over the baggage
room and Is a sort of a roof garden. All
along the sides of this roof Is arranged a
regular bicycle rack. The front wlfeel Is
shoved In between the two retaining bars ,
and so the wheel rests , rigid and safe from
collision. The wheels are first run Into the
baggage room below. Then they are made
fast to a lifting tackle nnd pulled up to thereof
roof through an open ecuttlo and swung off
to the resting place. They are let down in
a similar manner.
The same provision Is made In the bag-
gagfl cars attached to trains that carry a
number of wheels. The through trains do
not , as a rule , have many bicycles offered
as baggage , but the locals are often liter
ally swamped with them. These racks are
arranged all around Insldo of the cars , and
In some Instances there are two tiers of
them. The wheels , properly ticketed , nro
thus safe from collision and pressure that
might result in Injury. The trainmen do
not take at all kindly to the new order of
things and loudly condemn everyone that
rides a wheel , The carrying of bicycles as
baggage makes necessary a degree of care
and attention on their part that almost
doubles their work.
In the variety of styles of mounting the
bicycle the girls are fast equaling the men.
There was a time when only one style was
In general use , but as the riders become
rooro expert and gain more confidence they
are branching out In the Btyla of mounting.
Tbo old style of mounting , by standing out
in the street , -with tbo pedal raised , Is not
so easy to do In going up a bill. Now the
curbstone mount Is becoming popular. This
la an easy way of mounting the wheel , and
way that any ono can learn. It saves the
strain to a largo extent on tbo frame of the
whed. A woman's wheel , by the way , Is not
as strong as the diamond framq of a man's
jlcyclo , Perhaps the most graceful mount
of any , and likewise tbo most difficult. Is
the female pedal mount. The right foot Is
placed on the right pedal , which is raised
o nearly Us highest point. A Blight ehovo
Is given the wheel , and before the right
pedal reaches Its lowest point in Its rovolu-
lon the left foot has slipped through the
frame and caught the loft pedal just as it
a coming up. It's pretty , but hard.
A flattering tribute has been paid to
American Ingenuity and mechanical skill
y the action of unscrupulous German mak
ers la copyrighting unto themselves the
trade marks of all American bicycles that
were not protected by the German law. In
brief , despairing of ever being nblo to pro
duce machines that would oven remotely
compare with ours , these phlegmatic pirates
have deliberately stolen the symbols ot
American prestige and adapted them to their
own ends. Consul General McKay , however ,
has checkmated thcso thieves by a clever
move. Ho has Induced an nmlncnt German
Importer1 ot American goods to copyright In
his own name all the American blcyclo trade
marks that ho can obtain any knowledge of ,
and so protects our makers against thcso
unscrupulous rascals. The small actual
cost Incurred , some $18 , Is the only charge
made for this protection to each company.
THIS I'illCU OK 1UCVC1.I3S.
How Loin ? In tliv Century Slnrk to
Stniiilt
The statement la made , on apparently good
authority , that there are In thU country no
fewer than BOO manufactories of bicycles.
Perhaps such figures are as amazing as any
thing clso connected with this nearly If not
quHo most amazing of latter day material
developments.
It Is safe to eay that no other Industry over
developed eo rapidly to such huge proper
tions. The latest figures bear witness to the
unprecedented growth In popularity of bi
cycling as a mode of locomotion for business ,
fet < pleasure and for "sport. " They also In-
, dlcato that the business ot making bicycles
Is a very profitable one. It Is useless to try
to escape this latter conclusion , says the
Boston Advertiser. Capitalists do not invest
year after year enormously increasing sums
of money In a business which does not pay.
True , there have been a great many failures ;
but the steady increase in the number of
manufactories proves that tbo failures result
from bad business management , not from the
badness of the business.
There Is no bicycle trust , nnd It Is Impos
sible that there can bo ono , under existing
conditions. Some kinds of business are
adapted to bo monopolized by trusts and
some are not. The blcyclo business Is not.
The reason It Is not Is that the amount of
capital required U not so great but that It
can bo always obtained for Investment that
way , so long as there Is a reasonable chance
for profitable returns. There Is no patent
on the bicycle , so far ns Its essential features
are concerned. If an attempt were made to
organize a blcyclo trust with a view to
limiting production nnd enhancing , or oven
maintaining prices , while keeping the quality
nt n standstill , or even lowering It doing
with bicycles as trusts do with other things
where the trust method Is successful the In
ducement to outside competition would bo so
great that It would speedily become Irre
sistible and the trust would collapse.
Yet the expected decline In the prlco of
bicycles has not come , and thcro are no very
clear signs of its speedy coming. In this
Instance , competition does not teem to have
its usual effect in a reduction of prices.
Competition la 'Indeed most strenuous. The
rivalry Is hot and constant , nnd at times
almost ferocious. If Dean Swll't were allvo
now ho might supplement his "Battle of tbo
Books" by n "Battle of the Bicycles. " But
In splto of It all , there is a reasonable approach
preach to uniformity in prlco. Every manu
facturer strives to outsell his rivals , but
not to undersel ! them. Ho appears to rely
upon appealing to the sentiment expressed
in the motto , "Tho best Is the cheapest. "
So , while vehemently insisting nnd vocifer
ously proclaiming that his machine is Uio
very best , each maker appears to be de
sirous rather of disclaiming' than of sanc
tioning the idea that it la cheapest , or even
cheap.
Probably this phenomenon Is to bo ac
counted for on two grounds. The first is I
that human nature universally Inclines people
ple to bellevo that things of * hose quality
they are , as a rule , Incapable- judging ,
must of course bo excellent In proportion
as they are expensive. Second , the demand
for bicycles Is so brisk , It glows so fast ,
It is so eager and insatiate , 11 partakes so
much of the nature of an enthusiasm to
which "expense is DO object , " that hitherto
blcyclo manufacturars flnd It every bit ns
tas/ , generally speaking , perhaps easier , to
sell a machine for ? 100 | than 11 would bci to
sell identically the same machine for $50.
How long Is this state of things going to
last ?
Union I'liciflc Wlieel Club.
The Union Pacific Wheel club held Ito
annual meeting at the Mlllard hotel last
Tuesday evening , attended by a large number
of its enthusiastic members. The meeting
was a rousing ono throughout , and Judging
from the reports of Its outgoing ollkers , the
club has been most successful during Its first
year's existence. Election of officers resulted
In the following selections : Richmond An
derson , president ; George II. Iloblnson , vice
president ; J. W. Newlean , secretary-treas
urer ; W. E. Ilcld , captain ; Julian Osborno ,
first lieutenant ; W. It. Moran , second lieu
tenant ; H. Bruner , third lieutenant ; W. H ,
Anderson , folor bearer ; A. L. Angcll , bugler.
The Union Pacific Wheel club was or
ganized on Satuiday , February 22 , 1S9C , by
twenty-two Union Pacific wheelmen. Since
that dat ? the membership has steadily In
creased , until now It Is at Its highest point ,
110 , making it the largest club of Its kind
In Omaha , and not only the largest , but
ono of the most enthusiastic , aggressive and
popular. The membership of the club la In
the best standing of any wheel club In the
city. As yst the club has not had a single
delinquent , and in consequence It bus not
been obliged to report any names to the
Associated Cycling clubs to be posted In the
black list. That list now contains ICO names ,
to which the other clubs In the city have
contributed.
The club will bo represented In the Asso
ciated Cycling clubs during the year 1807 by
Messrs. W. E. field , E. W. Burroughs , F. A.
Gordon and E. L. Fries.
Action waa taken In regard to thu lamp
and bell ordinance , which Is now pending
before tbo city council , and all mcmbcru
ware moot omjilinacrilly opjiosuil t It. Thn
delegates to the Associated clubs were In
structed to exert themselves to defeat the
measure.
It is anticipated that the club will lese
seven or eight of Ita members on nccount of
the segregation of the Oregon Short Line &
Utnh Northern railway. About lhat many
of the members have been employed by the
new organization already. From commenta
which nro mndb on every hand , however , it
Is expected that enough Unlou Pacific em *
ploycs will purchase wheels this spring tenet
not only regain tlio members lost , but also
to considerably Increase the 110 mark.
Richmond Anderson , president ot the club ,
made a very strong speech In favor ot the
League ot American Wheelmen , urging all
Union Pacific Wheel club members who
possibly can to join that organization , His
effort was not In vain. Before the mcctlnR
was over eight or nlno applications wcro
taken by Captain Jleld , who ls also local
consul for the League of American Wheel
men. This makes about thirty of the clul
members who nro now Identified with the
Lraguo of .American Wheelmen. Mr.
Anderson Is n very enthusiastic League of
American Wheelmen man , and , judging from
his emphatic statements , ho proposes to
make every Union Pacific wheelmen a mem
ber of that organization before the coming
season Is over.
The whole meeting wns pervaded with
enthusiasm , and plans for the coming season
wcro laid out. The first run will bo made
early In April If weather permits. Mlloago
and other prizes will be given this year ,
as tin Incentive to its members to attend
runs. The socials Riven by tbo club last
winter were unqualified successes In every
possible way , and will remain a permanent
feature of the club.
The members of the organization cannot
but feel gratified nt Its unusual success dur
ing the first year of Us existence , and this
record Is taken as an Indication ot what
may bo expected for the ensuing year.
of the Wheel.
Slnco the close of the cycle show local
wheelmen have turned thslr attention to the
proposed lamp ordinance , which Is to bo
brought before ) the city council some tlmo.
during the present month.
The proposed ordinance has been pretty
thoroughly discussed among the club men
nnd unattached riders of the city , and , whllo
the majority of the organized wheelmen are
against the ordinance , a great many of thorn ,
are In favor ot It. The organized wheelmen.
In this city do not number over 000 , and , as
It IB estimated that there are over 4,00ft
cyclists in the city , It will readily bo seen
that the organized wheelmen nro far In the
minority. Petitions have been circulated
among the wheelmen ot the city by these
who arc working for the ordinance , and al
ready nearly as many local wheelmen have
signed the petitions as there are organized
wheelmen In the olty. Not only the un
attached wheelmen are signing the petition ,
but many club men who consider the meas
ure a good one are attaching their names
to it. i
E. 13. Mockctt , ono of Nebraska's most
prominent racing imen. has accepted a posi
tion with n local wheel concern nnd will ro-
uiovo his family from Lincoln to this city ,
on May 1. Mr. Mockett expects to mnko
Omaha his permanent residence hereafter and
will upon his arrival Join ono of the local
clubs , under whoso colors ho will rldo during
: he coming season. Local wheel racing en-
ihuslasts will welcome Mockctt's coming , as
10 will bo a valuable addition to Omaha'a
racing contingent. i
F. M. Russell has kindly offered to donate
.wo $50 gold bricks for the coining annual
Decoration day road race. Ono will bo offered
as first prize and the other as tlmo prlzo.
f others of the local dealers would follow ,
Mr. Russell's example the prize committed
of the. Associated Cycling Clubs would bo
relieved of hard work. >
W. H. McCord of the Omaha Wheel club'
ias 'been ' doing n little missionary work for
tbo Nebraska division of the League of ;
American Wheelmen during the past ten ,
days , am ? as a result has obtained eighteen
applications for .membership . In the body.
During the cycle show Mockett , McCall
and Plxley got together and decided to rldo
as a club team during the coming season ,
Just what club they will rldoor has not
as yet been settled and will probably b < $
left open until Mockett returns from the
east , which will bo about May 1 , when tha
three will begin active training together.
John S. Prince , formerly of this city ,
wants a race with some of the local profes
sional riders. Bill Mnrdls has been In com
munication with him recently , and It la
quite likely that a match will be arranged
between Prlnco and Floyd McCall of this
city , to take place at Charles street parlc
early in June , Prince wants to ride for | 500
a side.
Freddlo Dlckenson of Worcester , Mass. ,
ono of the smoothest cycle salesmen on the
road , has been In the city during the past
ten days waiting for his samples. Freddlo
was a familiar figure at both this and lost
year's local shows.
Jim Derlght , who imported McCall from
Denver last year to show the Nebraska
boys how to rldo races , threatens to Import
another man this spring who will rldo rings
around our local professionals ,
The Omaha Guards Wheel club will Itl
all probability consolidate with the Turnea
Wheel club , as the former club has moved !
with the Guards to Turner hall and the
members are not In favor of keeping up a ,
separate organization.
The eextetto which was exhibited at the
local show Is to be kept in Omaha during
the balance of the season. A team com
posed of such well known professionals na
Mockett , McCall , Gadke , Proulx , iDenman
and Plxley , will man It , and an effort will
bo made to have the street commlEsIonora
close up Sherman avenue some evening thin
spring , -when a stralgbt-away one-half mlle
will be- measured off and the six will bo
sent over the distance for record , Thl3
would prove an Interesting event , as many
people who have heard about the wonderful
speed of the sextette would turn out to sci
the trial.
Her I3xiiorlunci.il
Nettle He's such a deep man. That ! (
why ho Is BO successful in business. Nobodj
can fathom his thoughts ,
Laura Pahaw ! 1 have meat of bis thoughts
at my linger tips.
Nettle You don't say ? |
Laura I'm his typewriter ,
BICYCLES
Made by two of the largest and best concerns In tbo United'States. They
iho $100-but wo sell them for $30.00. Tbat Is why wo sell moro wheels than
any otbop bouse In Omaha because we sell Bicycles for $15,00 less money than
other bouses.
IW.OO cash will buy you a RELIANCE or BELV1DERB , which have aa
flno arunntng gear and bearings as any $100 wheel in the city of Omaha , $35.00
will buy you a "BUSINESS" wheel , fully guaranteed up-to-date construction.
Wo carry the largest and most complete stock of wheels west ot Chicago.
Call and sco us before you buy ,
Wo also repair and rent wheels. < i , ,
Nebraska Cycle Co.
Cor. 15th and Harney Sfs ,
GEO. E. MICKEL , Manager.
School tempera' lyarrantB nccoptod In payment for Wcyles.
