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McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry, IL), 25 Oct 1893, p. 2

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"c. v'Tty* ** < V ^"~" 1 "•* , " ^'A \ Wi THE OLD GARDEN, Koohange, you say? Nothing of ]pn that tells? Trsea, fiowwra, are they as lovely as of yoref Does spring still 4©ok with oorala and green bells Our favorite ayoamonT > Tfee early lilacs, bloom they rank on rank, Pnrple and whit* M they hare bloomed for years? Old Crown Imperial on the mossy Sheds he his hoarded tears? The rose acacia, does it carpet now w * The pathway with its waxen blossoms red? Drop the smooth berries from the laurel bough Into tlio violet bod? Suffer the birds no Ion, bereft so long Of us? Is not the blackbird mute for doabt? Is no part wanting to the thrush's song? „ No liquid note left out? Does the moon show behind the hedgerow elms. Black bars against a spectral sea of light? Reigns our one star over the heavenly realms King on a clear, cold night? They bloom, slog, shine, our abeenoe hindering not. They are but waiting till ourselves kave ranged Enough, so we revisiting that spot Mai'ikui theaaail unchanged. -<>-** --AugUsta de Grouchy. V THE SECRET DRAWER i# > Having nothing more to do while mating for the clock to strike 8, he arranged his papers, laid his pens away in the drawer, and after casting a glance at his clerks drowsing in the neighbor­ ing room closed his desk. He felt BO gay, so light hearted, that he could have slid down the baluster of the somber ministerial staircase, but he con­ tained himself, and saluting the conci­ erge, who was surprised to see him leave so early, entered the Rue Royale, now bathed in sunshine. Certainly it was unusual for such a model employee to be abroad so early. Well, what was the use of remaining two hours longer in the office when there was nothing left to do but snip papers, kill flies or try to write plays for the theater, occupa­ tions that were equally uninteresting and unprofitable? He was not long in reaching his home, : for since his manage he had lived in the Rue Royale itself. How surprised and pleased his wife would be to see him home so early! He entered stealthily on the tips of his toes, crossed the ante­ chamber and stood in the parlor. • . It was empty! No one in the dining room, no one in the bedchamber nor the boudoir. Evi­ dently she was in the garden, hiding to surprise him, or possibly swinging in a hammock, enjoying the fragrant warmth of the beautiful day. He ran there quick as a thought. He did not find his wife. This was getting serious. Why should she have gone out? He knew of nothing pressing that could have called her away! It was understood that she was always to wait for him; if the beauty of the day had tempted her, she should have stopped at the minister's and told him as usual. In the room everything reminded him of her. A vague perfume--her perfume-- floated over all. A handkerchief thrown down on the edge of the toilet table, a pair of gloves, too soiled perhaps for use, left on the bedroom mantel, showed that she had gone out in a hurry, because she was so orderly generally, and every­ thing had its place. There was another reason for believing that something un- usual had called her away, or why were these trifles tossed about t-n carelessly? Tormented with doubt, hi .aind filled with vague suspicion, he sat down in the parlor and resigned himself to wait for her return. But he could not remain quiet. After some moments he went toward the sec­ retary and opened the bookcase above it. As the classics were in the back, he took out the volume in front, which he placed on a table at his side, and began reading a volume of Moliere. i The secretary was of ebony of the time of Louis XVI, ornamented with bronze open work. The desk leaf with­ in was covered with stamped leather, and above it, hidden in the fretwork, was a false drawer. His wife was very fond of this piece of furniture, which he had given her one fete day about a month after their marriage. He had hunted a long time before he discovered it at an oid antiquarian's, who assured him that it had remained in the possession of one family ever since it was made. It was an elegant and graceful piece iof furniture, and in spite of the high price Louis had not hesitated to buy it. Then it was' installed in the apart­ ment during his wife's absence, and when she came in and saw it how she had flung her arms about her husband's •neck and thanked him as only a true wife can! It was indeed a little marvel. She had opened all the little drawers and poured into them the thousand and one little At tha first word which he read a mist came before his eyes; he fell outr stretched on the sofa. These letters without doubt had been placed there by his wife, who had said nothing to him about the secret drawer that he had dis­ covered. What he believed to be the correspondence of a friend, written in response to those confidences which a young woman would be apt to make after marriage, was in a man's hand. And what other man but himself had a right to address her as "My darling?" " He opened the letters one after an­ other. There was little variation in the way they began--it was either "My adored one" or "My well beloved." Well, he would get at the heart of the matter, so he began to read one of the letters, the one first under his hand. This is what it contained: MY DKARBST WELL BEIXJVKD--When you in­ formed me yesterday that they were forcing you to marry in order to forget me; that your parents obliged you to prefer my rival, I could not refrain from tears and reproaches. You know my lovo for you--that is my only excuse. Today I am coming to beg you to postpone this impossible union. Tell this man that you do not lovo him; that you can never love him. He will understand and retire. If he persists, then so much the worse for him! Fear noth­ ing--I am not threatening you--today I am calm. My whole happiness is in your hands. I await your answer with impatience, but con­ fidence. With deepest love, JULIEN. He passed his hand tremblingly over his forehead, looked around him stupid­ ly, asking himself if this was not some frightful dream. No, he was at home in his own parlor near his wife's secretary, and in his hand was a letter--a love letter. Then Fabienne--his Fabienne? Noi, no! It was impossible! He threw the letter from him angrily. Then curiosity again seized him, and he took up one of the other notes--a Short one containing only a few lines: MY AIIORED--When you receive these lines, 1 shall have left France. I shall not come back until you recall me. I cannot be the accom­ plice in a lie, or live near you and the husband they have forced upon you any longer. God grant that you may never have to repent. Farewell, fare well I A last kiss on the lips 1 adore. JULIEN. This $as too much. He rose with a bound, scattering the letters on the floor, where they fluttered like a flock of frightened birds. He staggered to the window to cool his burning forehead. He, stood there for a moment stupefied, his eyes on the clouds, then began to walk up and down the room with nerv­ ous strides, like a caged animal. After a while he sat down and reflect­ ed. It was true--Fabienne, whom he loved so much and in whom he had so much confidence, was like all other wo­ men! She had lied to him from the first. She had lied to him since,Everyday. All those little caresses and evidences of af­ fection had only served aa a mask for the basest treachery. He had been too happy. It could not last. How could she have deceived him so? How could a woman with a character so sweet yet so decided, who spoke so frank­ ly, whose look was so pure and loyal-- how could she stoop to such duplicity? How had she begun to play such a part when nothing in her way of living, in her language, her manner, betrayed se­ cret preoccupation? By what power of will had she been able to conceal a mys­ tery so deep and penetrating? Well, it was all over--this fatal discovery was the supreme blow. His life was broken forever! As he sat there the panorama of his life passed before him. The days of his childhood came back one by one. He saw himself again running like a colt through the woods of his country home, startling his mother by the audacity of his exploits. Then one day his father's sudden death and the departure in tears. Years of battle followed. The little rooms in the Rue Truffant, with Lise, the old servant, who would not abandon them. Then college, with its long and tedious lessons, and finally the crown-, ing step to success, his admission TO the government office, where he made his way rapidly. He recalled his meeting with her. It was in the house of an old friend of the family at a soiree. He was standing awkwardly in a corner of the room rub­ bing his white-gloved hands nervously together when she came in followed by a murmur of admiration. She raised her eyes, they met his, and the romance of his life had begun. Delicious memo­ ries followed--he loved to linger over them now as over a beautiful dream that cannot, must not be forgotten. Seated here in his own parlor that had been the scene of so much happiness, a terrible sadness oppressed him. The romance was over; the book must be closed. He felt that awful sensation of the irreparable, that impression of emp­ tiness which seizes one after a great mis­ fortune--one on which our entire life de­ pends. His anger fell, and he regretted Better one r trifles that constitute a woman's treas- that he had found these letters. ure, and of which she is more proud ! to have lived out his days in peace and than of her jewels, and she said, "This j ignorance. How many husbands quite is my wcretary," with all the jealous ' hastened to arrange everything and closed the secret drawer. At that mo­ ment the doorbell rang. Just in timet It was probably his wife, who had for­ gotten her key. He felt a sharp twinge in his heart at the thought of meeting her faoe to face, but he hurried to let her' in. Instead of his wife, whom he ex­ pected, a strange man confronted him, who addressed him by his own name. "Sir," said the visitor, "I wish to speak to you particularly, and I shall be obliged if you will give me an interview of five minutes--if I do not disturb you." This speech puzzled Louis, but he made a motion for the stranger to enter. He closed the door, and they sat down in the parlor. The visitor was tall and sturdily built. His face, sunburned and weather beat­ en, showed that he was accustomed to a life in the open air. A red ribbon in his button hole indicated that he was an of­ ficer in the navy. He cast a sweeping look about the room, then his face lighted up, and he said: "I hope yon will excuse this intrusion, sir, but the matter was of so much im­ portance to me that I sought out your address and hastened here. I will come straight to the point. I beg that you will sell me, at any price, your ebony secretary." Louis started in surprise and stam­ mered out: "Sir, what do you mean?" "Oh, I know that my proposition is a strange one, but when you understand my motive you will pardon me. That piece of furniture which you bought from the dealer, who gave me your name, was sold at a time of need by a person"-- Here the voice of the stranger trembled. "By a person who through my fault was passing through a painful crisis. She had just lost her husband, who had squandered her fortune to the last penny, and she was forced to sell everything, even to the smallest trifle. This secre­ tary, which has been in the family for a number of years, went with the rest. But she would only consent to part with it on condition that it could be bought back at the end of a year. As she did not appear at that time it was purchased by you. I was out of France at the pe­ riod. Well, I came back and found my unhappy friend. Our first thought was to find the dealer and recover the secre­ tary. I learned through him where it was, and here I am. I trust you will ac­ cede to my request, strange as it may ap­ pear." "Sir," said Louis, "unfortunately that piece of furniture belongs to my wife, and she has filled it with her own things'. I could not possibly disarrange it with­ out consulting her." The stranger grew pale. Then he said to Louis in a choking voice: "Sir, do you know if your wife discov­ ered a secret hiding place in the secre­ tary?" "What hiding place are you talking about?" exclaimed Louis, with feigned astonishment. The stranger sprang toward the secre­ tary and in a moment had opened the secret drawer, pointing at the same time to the package of letters. "You will understand by this why I cherish this piece of the furniture. Those letters were written by me tflt the woman who today became my wife.4' The words had hardly left his lips be­ fore Louis was feverishly tossing out pellmell the many trifles that filled the drawers and compartments. "Take it," he cried. "Take it away, sir. I am only too happy to give it to you!" When his wife entered a few minutes afterward and saw the parlor in such disorder and her secretary gone, she ut­ tered a cry of dismay. "Console yourself, my darling," said Louis, drawing her close to his heart. "That piece of furniture revived unpleas­ ant memories. I promise you another-- another more beautiful." And he smiled through his tears so tenderly that she grew calm, not under­ standing his grief, but feeling that what had been done must be, after all, for the best.--Adapted From the French For Short Stories. FINGER TIPS. pride of a proprietor. Louis soon found the passage he was seeking in Moliere, and it had diverted his mind. He was less worried than be­ fore. As he was replacing the books, one slipped from his hand, and in at­ tempting to catch it he struck the mold­ ing on the top of the secretary. There was the sound of a click, and the front of the false drawer swung out, display­ ing a hiding place whose existence he had never suspected. His wife had never Spoken to him about this, nor had the merchant who sold it, or he would prob­ ably have made it an excuse for raising the price. ' Suddenly he saw a package of letters the depths of this tiny closet. Here ^ras a romance! No doubt these papers were precious documents and had been placed there during the Revolution. He undid the package and then started back. Instead of antique manuscript the the paper was quite new and the hand­ writing perfectly modern, so modern that the ink was still black. He was tempted to throw this package, which burned his hands, back in the drawer and put everything in or tier : :;ain, but ;• ;«nriosity was stronger thai. £ wason, and , trembling hand Wopened the HOW HELEN KELLER WAS TAUGHT THE NAME3 OF THINGS, Tbe Trayra Dance of BMMS. The taupau of a neighboring village, specially enlisted as a first rate dancer, with four girl companions, formed the ballet. The taupau wore a marvelous headdress, resembling that of the youth who mixed the kava at Malie. ' Round her forehead was a band of small pieces of nautilus shell, above towered an erect wig of human hair which had been bleached for months in a marsh, little looking glasses were placed in front, and the whole was surmounted with a trail of red hummingbirds' feathers. The effect was something between -that of a miter and of a Persian king's crown, but part of the structure fell off during the exertions which efesued. Be­ hind the girls sat three or four men, one of whom contributed the musical ac­ companiment by beating on bottles wrapped up in cloth. The others assist­ ed in the chorus singing, but their part was a very subordinate one The performance of the five girls in front, who were at first seated on the ground, was exceedingly amusing. It consisted of a series of songs, mostly "topical," with a great deal of action. The taupau generally started with a solo, and the others presently joined in, swaying their arms and bodies backward and forward, touching each other's shoul­ ders and moving their hands and fingers with peculiar grace.--Nineteenth Cen tury. Vaults of the Bank of France. The treasures of the Bank of Franc< are said to be better guarded than those of any other bank in the world. At the close of business hours every day, when the money is put into the vaults in tho cellar, masons at once wall up the doors- with hydraulic mortar. Water is then turned on and kept running until the cellar is flooded. A burglar would have to work in a diving suit and break down a cement wall before he could even start to loot the vaults. When the officers arrive the next morning, the water is as unfortunate as himself in other ways were living in tranquillity, free from doubt. Cursed letters! But what reason had he for thinking that they were written to her? They were not in envelopes. There was no address. Perhaps they belonged to a friend. It would be just like Fabienne to have taken charge of a secret corres­ pondence to help one she cared for. But was he not a part of her? She need not have confided everything to him, but she might have spoken about it. Per­ haps she had forgotten to or feared to anger him. Some day, no doubt, she would tell him all. He was ready to seize at any idea to dispel his suspicions, and as he reflected he recovered tn a measure his spirits. He made the resolution to return the letters to their hiding place, put every­ thing in order and say nothing for tho present about the matter. Then some day he would suddenly unmask his bat­ teries, and his wife would be forced to avow her guilt or explain the mystery. He gathered up the letters carefully and placed them in the secret drawer, fearing eVery moment that his wife might enter and surprise him. He looked at the clock. It was only an hour since _ „ ^ , he had come in, and yet it seemed as if d'awn °ff'the torn down and he had lived years during that time. opened.- m •oBMthlag of tl>« Method Explained by Her TixwleM Insiraeftreu--A Faee That Mirror* a Soul Which Knows Naught of the App»aran«e of Bin. The most interesting feature of the ed­ ucational congress was the appearance of Helen Keller under the kind and skill­ ful guidance of Miss Annie M. Sullivan, her teacher. When a babe, Helen Keller became blind, deaf and dumb. When Miss Sullivan, a young woman of unus­ ual beauty of form and feature, stood before tho audience beside a girl who, except for the sad sign of blindness in the large eyes, gave promise of still greater beauty, her face glistening with a rapture that painters try to express in the ecstacy of angel ̂ hearts seemed to stand still. It was a lace that had never consciously looked on the distortions of passion or pain--the mirror of a soul that could nbt imagine the outward ap- pearanco of sin nor remember any of the discords of life. In her presence it was hard to appre­ ciate the fact that her world lay within ours, without sun, music or speech. No one who saw it will forget the impulsive fluttering of her young, white hand as it sought her teacher's face or round, white throat; the satisfaction when the contact of her delicate white finger tips gave her what sight gives us; the flash of light over her face when, with her forefinger resting on her teacher's lip, she read the answer to the question she had asked by the twinkling digital move­ ments in her teacher's palm. There were those who wept when she repeated audibly, with a depth of feeling she alone can feel: Tell me not In mournful numbers Life is but an empty dream. All were invited to ask questions, yet not many did so. Tho occasion seemed sacred. How did you teach her the first word?" some one ventured at last. "Her first word was 'doll,'" was the answer. "I gave her the doll, placed her finger on my lip and spoke the word. When she wearied of the doll, I took it from her, and when I returned it again gave the movement of the lips. The second word was 'mug.' I used the cup from which she drank, but became con­ vinced that she had not a clear idea of the name, but that it meant to her also water or drink. So I one day took her to the pump, and as the water was flow­ ing into her cup had her hold her hand in the stream, and then putting her fin­ ger on my lip gave her the word 'water.' Then I again gave her the word 'mug.* The idea that everything had a name, the comprehension of nouns, was a great revelation to her and came then and all at once. She was greatly excited. A nurse, with the baby sister in her arms, was standing near. Helen immediately put her hand on its face to know its name. I told her 'baby,' and she caught it at once. Then she stooped down and patted the ground to know what it was called. She learned many words that day, and those words sho never forgot.' How soon after sho learned words did she frame sentences?" "Immediately." "Were verbs harder to learn thad nouns?" "Not at all. I began with such words as 'sit,"stand'and the like that were easy to illustrate. Prepositions troubled her most." How does she get an idea of the ab­ stract?" "I cannot tell. It seems to be with her, or it comes." "Has she any distinguishing sense of musical vibrations?" "Yes, very distinct. She likes music." "Is her vocabulary large?' "Very large. She expresses herself fluently and is choice of words." "What books does she like best?" Every now and then the white fingers fluttered to the teacher's face for just one delicate touch--a finger look it was --and now they rested on Miss Sulli­ van's lip: "Tell--the-- people--what1*-books-- you--like--best." Helen's face was an open book of her mental processes. Sho repeated each word after Miss Sullivan, but hesitated a little on the words "tell" and "you," the brightness of her face dimming for tho instant. As soon as she compre­ hended tho question, which she did in ad­ vance of its completion, the flash of intel­ ligence came, and when she turned to­ ward the aiidience, for she did not seem at any time to lose her location, she said with spirit: "Oh. I have read so much that it is very hard to say what I like best, but"-- waiting a moment--" ' Little Lord Faunt- leroy'"-- And then followed rapidly 'the names of several works, some of which, it would se$m, could hardly be understood by any one who cannot know sound and color. "How do yon read?" "By raised letters and by my teacher." "I noticed when you pronounced for her you articulated with an exaggerated motion of the lips," said one. "Is not that necessary?" "Her teaching was begun in that way. I do not think it is necessary or best, attribute the peculiarity of her voice to that mechanical action which she uses. I think it would have been better and just as easy if she had been spoken to with the usual movement." In reply to the question of her knowl­ edge of the abstract, General Futon re­ marked that the greatest development in the case of Helen Keller was that of the spiritual.--Memphis Appeal-Avalanche. Palettes of Painters. Palettes of famous painters form an interesting collection in the possession of M. Beiiginet of Paris. His collection numbers over 100 specimens, chief among which are the palettes used by Corot, Troyon, Delacroix, Benjamin Constans, Bonnat, Rosa Bonheur, Detaille, Puvia de Chavannes and other artists of celeb­ rity.--Philadelphia Ledger. WB ABB NOW WECKrVIWti IN LARGE VARIETY. Directly from first bands, at depression prices, and Have made A cueful selection of goods suitable to our trade, in cost §̂ 0̂1̂ Messrs. Joseph Bui field & l3o,# ' " * ~"V:" of Chicago, who are admit ted' by all to bo the foremost : and largest manufacturers of* coriect stylet of Ladies', Misses' and Children** CLOAKS, - ' ' * *4; * * ? * Yu • Mil! • h':-; / • v * .'YV< 1 iVS < • .si-? "3 And ULSTERS . NEWMARKETS CAPES,4! 5," i -.r~' •* ' >*• * We can if d ov*r a few garments lasf^ilr which "#e auction hou»e of Messrs Geo. P, Oow & Co , tor cash, aud this will give us an exclusively new stock, free of all stickvis, or out*of- siyle garments Our styles are the n<?wt8i,pnd we carry all siz«s in colors aud blac ks, all well made and of the ot material* Our stock is v*ery large, Vith prices the lowest, mm J&XTO OVERCOATS. We »re now adding 'o our stock a large and new line of well made, well wearing, stylish and cheap suits and overcoats, in all sizes, trom »g« 4 to size 46 or 50. from the well known manufactur­ ers, JMepsra. Kirk Jfathan and Fischer. Come e^rj^ an^btain^ ilrst choice. ^ Autumn and Winter Dress Gfoodis, , Storm Serges, Hop Sackings, Imported Serges, Henriettas, iantines, Flannels, Velyets. Plushes, braids, Domestics, - Warps, Battipgs. - . » , "WOOL Atf MERINO scarlet, natural and white, in all sizes, for men, women and children, at popular prices. Swits Coudes* fully varr^nted goods in stock, Un>ou suits for ^ ladies, mioses and childr4$>. v We have again bought a large stock of the Famous and fully Warranted Badger State Overalls, Shirts. Jackets, Buck Coats and Pants tor the fall winter. We can fit and suit everybody. Ne# Shawls, New Blankets, and New Flannels, All kinds of Yarns, Wool and Cotton Hosiery in black, natural gray, tan and brown. ; ^ , n u n l u p i ) Patterns, Window Shades, Curtains.' TRUNKS AND HAND We are exclusive agents for the famous and fully warranted Douglas $3 00 Shoes and also carry other grades of same factory, f^gjFFiirgo's custom made Boots and Shoes in all sizes and various widths and kinds, constantly in stock. ̂ Prices way down* $2,50 men's shoes in lace or Congress is a great bargain^ . * >0! Hats and Gaps, Gloves and Mittens. Lustre Baud and White Granite Crockery, Rocainglpn Ware. Pure and unadulterated Teas, Coffees and Spices, Canned Goods and Provisions. ' "v*?. fCgr'The staff of life is flour, converted into bread. Chick's flitr^ warranted Kockford Flour leads them all in quality and prices. Honest Abe 85a, New Process 90c. Half Patent 91 05. Cnlck's Best $119. All fully warranted and delivered free in any part of town. Try usJ , ^ 50 barrels common salt, 90c. Special inducements will be held out to all who will buy a full supply tor cash. &TUil« IlfSUKIHCU In our old and reliable time-tried and fire and storm panies, on all classes of insurable property at just rates. Our ousi- ness in this line is very extensive and y<w*s jnteresto receive tfeft beat of attention possible. Respectfully, Weil MoHenry. III., 1888 i

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