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"same; songs. The Spire of Saint Stevens. It needs a steady head and a clear cou- science and the thing is done.” Those were old J acob's words ! - “ The clearconscience is not lacking, thank God ! but all these weeks of watching by a sick bed, and the scanty meals have made the head anything but steady. If it were but three months ago my courage would not fail me, but now"â€" The boy broke ofi' abruptly, and stepping back several feet, stood looking up at the stately spire that towered above him. Fair and shapely it rose, with gradually receding buttress and arch until it terminated at a point over four hundred feet from the pave- ment. All day long little groups of men had struggled across the Platz and athered in front of the great cathedral, el wing one another and stretching upon tiptoe to read the notice nailed to the massive door. Many Were the jests used around. “Does the ol sexton think men are flies to creep along yonder dizzy height ‘3” asked one. “The prize is indeed worth winning," said another, “but”â€"â€"he turned awav with an expressive shrug of theshoulderâ€"“ life is sweet.” “\Vlien I try to resell heaven ’twill be by some less steep and dangerous way,” laughed a third, with an upward glance at the spire. “It makes a strong man feel a bit queer to go up inside as far as the great bell and look up at the network of crossing ladders; but to stand outside and wave a flag !â€"â€"wliy, the mere thought of it is enough to make one’s head swim,” said the first speaker. “Jacob \Virtig is the only manin all Vienna who has the nerve for such a part.” “But he served a good apprenticeship ! He learned the knack of keepinga steady head during his early days of chamois hunt- ing in the Tyrol. But why does he seek to draw others into danger '3 For so much gold many a man would risk his life.” “I can understand it, Caspar. Twice be fore, on some grand occasion, has old Jacob stood on the spire and 'waved a flag as the Emperor passed in the streets below. And now, after all the fighting and the victory, when there is to be a triuniphal entry into the city and a grand review and such re- joicing as was never known before, he feels in honor bound to supply the customary salute from the cathedral. And since this miserable fever which has stricken down so many in_the city has left him too weak to attempt it, he is trying, as you see by .... «0.. n ! this notice, to get some one to take his place. He offers all the money which the Emperor never fails to send as a reward, to say nothing of the glory! I’ll wager a florin that he’ll offerin vain ! But come ! let us be going There’s too much work to be done, to be loitering here.” Twice before on that day, once in the early morning, and again at noon, had the boy stood as if spellbound, with his eyes riveted on the beautiful spire. And now the setting of the sun had found him a third time at his post. 'lhe Platz was deserted, but the streets beyond were thronged with people hurrying to their homes. “"as it fear or the chill of the night air that sent a shiver over the slender figure of the boy as he stood, letting his eyes slowly wander from the top of the spire to the base of the tower beneath, as if measuring the frightful distance? But as he turned away with a little gesture of despair, there rose before him the vision of a wan and weary face as white as the pillow against which it rested, and he heard the physician’s voice as he gently replaced the wasted hand on the coverlet. “The fever has gone, my boy, and all that your mother needs now to make her well and stron is good care and plenty of nourishing foor .” The money offered by old Jacob would do all that and much more. It would mean comfort for two or three years, for both mother and son with their simple way of liviii . When the ad again faced the cathedral it was with an involuntary straightening of the shrinking figure. “\Vitli God’s help I will try,” he said aloud, with a determined ring to his voice, “and I must go at once to let Muster \Virtig know. Now that I have fin- ally decided, it is strange how the fear has flown. It is the liesituting that takes the courage out of one! After all”â€"â€"he paccd back, back, back, until he was far cnou h from the cathedral to get a good view of t ic noble structure. “\Vho knows? It may look more difficult than it really is! ’Tis but a foothold of a few inches, but ’tis enough. If it were near the ground I should feel as safe as if I were on the floor of the great hall in the Stndt Hans. \Vliy, then, should Ifcar up yonder l" The flush in the \Vestern sky suddenly deepened to a. vivid crimson. The clouds above the horizon, which a moment before bud shone like waves of gold, became ii, sea of flame. The ruddy glow illuminated the old cathedral, touching rich carving and lace- like trucery with a new splendor, while far over sculptured douie and stately tower mse the lofty spire. bathed from final to lmse in the radiant light. The boy made a step forward, and slip- ping back the little ca ) from his locks stretched out his clasped liaiids towards the sky. “Oh, Lord, great Preserver 1"hc cried. “ Be thou with me in my time of need to- morrow ! save E" He replaced the cap and hurried across the Platz to the crowded tlioroii rlifnre be- yond. At the end of three blocks ic turned into a narrow street and stopped in front of a hiin house with steep, tiled roof. The lamp in the swinging iron bracket above the l door gave such a feeble light that lie was‘ obliged to gropc his way through the hall to i the stairs. l At the second landing he paused for a moment. faiicying that he heard a light Oh, Jesus! be near to help and board near the stairs and sec if any one concealed himself within, but the dread of being laughed at kept him back and he fol- ! lowed the woman into a room where a gray- haired man sat, leaning wearily against the back‘of his chair. - nervously. calmly. “'hy not say, if you succeed? It sounds more cheery.” ing back in his chair. get food. .._.-..... - b . b “You may go now, Katrina,” said the man, motioning to an adjoining room, and when the door closed he turned to Franz tremblinv with eagerness. you decided ‘r” “ “'ell, have “I will try, Master “'irtig.” The old sexton wrun iis thin hands “But if you s ould fail 2” “In God is my trust,” answered the boy “But one ‘if’ is as good as another 1 “God grant it,” answered the man, sink- “I had thought that it would be some hardy, young sprig who should accept my offerâ€"some sailor or stone-iiiason, whose calling had taught him to carry a steady head. I never dreamed that it would be a mere lad like thyself, and worn out too, with the care of thy sick mother! Even now I feel I do thee a grievous wrong to listen to thy entreaties.” “Think not of me, Master “'irtig : think rather of my mother. Shall we let her die, when a few moments on yonder spire would furnish the means to make her well? The kind physician who would have helped me was smitten with the fever yesterday, and there is no one to whom I can go.” “Had I been as prudent as I ought- I could liave aided thee. But this lingering illness has used up what I had put aside. Here is a little for thy present needâ€"some broth for thy mother, and a bite for thy- self ; thy cheeks look as pinched as if thou liadst not eaten a good meal forafortniglit.” He pulled out a covered basket from under the table and continued : “ I shall arrange with Nicholas, for he has worked with me so long that lie is as familiar with the ladders as myself, to go with thee up to the little, sliding window, and pass out the flag. Thou must let thyself down outside the window until thy toes touch the ledge below. Then, thou must creep cautiously around to the opposite side of the spire and wave the flag. Look always straight before thee or up at the sky. Thy safety lies in not glancing below. I believe in my heart thou wilt succeed. How I wish that this graceful Nicholas, this unruly nephew of mine, wert such an one as thou ! Then should I have some comfort. But with his evil compuiiitiis and bad ways he brings me naught but sorrow. Listen, Franz, if all goes well thou shalt have his place in help- ing me with the care of the cathedral. There is no longer any dependence to be placed on him.” In his excitement old Jacob’s voice rang through the room. “What is it?” he asked, as we saw Franz start and look towards the door. “ I thoughtI heard a rattling of the latch â€"â€"as if some one were outside.” “ It’s nothing but the wind drawing through the. entry." (TO BE cox'rixunn.) PRISONBRS OF THE MAHDI. Report That All the Europeans Have Been Released It is indeed good news, if it is true, that the Malidi’s successor has released all the Europeaii’s who have been the prisoners of his predecessor and himself since the fall of Khartoum. Few people are ever placed in so hapless a position as that of these twelve or fifteen Europeans, who for a number of years have been at the mercy of fanatical enemies, seemingly out of reach of human aid. Among the prisoners are natives of England, Germany, Austria, Italy, and Greece. No Government has attempted to negotiate for their release, for there has been every reason to believe that negotia- tions would be fruitless. Some of the pris- oners sent word to Europe that any inter- ference in their behalf would only increase their misery. An expedition to rescue them would certainly have been fatal to them all. Several attempts have been made by private persons and a Catholic mission to bring about the release of the prisoners, but every effort failed, and all that was gained was the information that ransom money would not be accepted, and that even if the Malidi’s successor consented to release the captives his councillors would not permit them to depart. So these poor whites have suffered at Oni- durmaii, opposite more famous Khartoum, and some of them have perished. Doubtless they loii r ago wholly dcspaircd of ever see- iiig the ( ay of deliverance. Luptoii Boy, the former Governor of the Bohr a1 Gliazal province, according to the best information we have, toiled iii tlicursenal, aliiiostiiakcd, doing the most iiiciiial work, until over a your ago, when death came to his. relief. Slatiii Bey, another Egyptian Governor, has been the footiiiaii of Klialifa Abdullab, who succeeded the Mahdi, lioldiii rliis inas- lcr's stirrup when be mounted on: running in front of his horse. In one of the letters Slatin wrote to his friends he said that any effort to ransom him would be fruitless. Neufeld, the German, was long kept in chains, and twice was led to the gallows and drawn up, but was cut down before he was badly hurt. The poor fellow finally escaped, but was caught as he was tryin to make his way to the sea, led back to Olin unnan, and banged in earnest. Klotz, once a Prussian corporal, was also kept in chains, and died of ill treatment. The Greek merchants have been allowed to wonder about in a very forlorn and rn god condition, compelled to any sort of work to The missionaries and four Sisters of charity were treated a little better, and at last accounts they were earning their liv- ing by cooking beans in oil and selling them in the streets. All the prisoners had the foothill behind him. but all was still, and he 5 Ohm“: Pthd helm“ um“ 0f ‘19“‘1‘ 0" 95' hastened on to the next floor. Again he l’ousmf 1"” Mnll‘ln‘ fillul- . osteiisi lyatlenst, to become followers of stopped, thinking that he caught the sound ofu stealthy, cat-like tread on the steps. below. “\Vlio's tliere?"lie called out boldly, but the lingering echo of his own voice was the only answer. “ How foolish I am I" he exclaimed. “It is but. the clutter of my shoes on the stone stairs." L’punotlicr flight and down the loii'. narrow entr‘ he went. and still he con d not shake o ‘ the feeling that he was being followed. At that moment a door opened and a woman peered out, holding a candle high above her head. “Is that you. Franz?" she said. “Mv brother has been expecting Thev all chose, the Prop ict. Further particulars than thebrief despatcli from Cairo will be necessarv before the re- port can be credited that tliese unfortuiiates are at last at liberty to rejoin their friends. W Youthful Bepartee. “ But, children, children ! Can't you play without making so much noise '5” “ What ! you, grandmainiiia 2 The idea of you scolding us 2" “ And why shouldn‘t I 2" “Because, if it wasn‘t for us you wouldn't Jmkn‘qt is a fact. you this half hour." Bv the flickering light ' be ‘ smndjmmmn-" of the candle Fran: could see that there was no one in the entry. He turned, im elled Anger turns the mind out. ofiidoors and by a strong desire to search the tail cup- . bolts the entrance. ‘“ i To A Clever Frenchman “as Devlsed n (‘om- ‘ binauon Bridge and Tunnel to Do It. French genius threatens to teach the En~ glish how to get rid of the inconveniences of insularity without sacrificing its national insurance features. , a. large and expensive fact for Great Britain from the point of view of commerce and yet none too wide or deep when economy and security of national protection are consider- ed. Between anxiety to advance the interests of commerce and apprehension of weaken- ing the national security, Great Britain has stood in shivering uncertainty whenever a.I tunnel or other means of eliminating the l water passage from the island to the Contin- ' ent was under consideration. There are no insurmountable engineering obstacles in the l way of a tunnel beneath the channel from I Dover to Calais, and such a work would uii- (loubtcdly have been begun long ago but for y the fear that in case of war the tunnel would 2 form an easy route for an invading army. A l long bridge has also been suggested and plans ' for it have been drawn, but although the g danger of invasion by it was lessened, as com- pared with a tunnel, itwas not removed, and besides, by interfering with navigation on the high seas such a bridge would introduce a new element of difficulty and make it ne- cessary to obtain an international agreement to allow of its construction. Now, however, M. P. Buneau-Narilla comes forward with a proposition which offers to the British heart at once the safety which it craves and the extended facilities which its commerce demands. He proposes what is called a “mixed solution” of the difficulty, 3. “bridge-tunnel” scheme. A great bridge, similar to the Forth bridge recently opened, will be built out from the shore on either side into the sea for as long a distance asmay be thought necessary. From the sea end of each bridge a shaft will be built either straight down or on an incline, through the sea and the chalk formation which forms its bed into the uiarly chalk below, where numerous boriiigs have already proved that a tunnel can be easily and safe- ly constructed. This tunnel will be driven through from bridge to bridge, proper eleva- tors will be put into the shafts, and there you are ! In time of peace, through express trains from Dover to Calais in an hour, with unlimited freight and passenger transport- ation possibilities. In time of war, two or three British cannon shots smash the bridge, another one knocks the shaft and its elevat- ing machinery into smithercens, and there you are a ain, with the tight little island as snug as a‘ ug in a rug. This scheme presents, according to the claim of its author, sustained by the general opinion of engineers, less difficulty, either from aiieiigiiieerin g or a financial standpoint, than either a simple tunnel or a bridge alone. Bridges like those proposed, except as to l length, have already been built, and the manner and cost of their construction are know. As for the tunnel, it will be simply a straight cut through soft but impervious material, presenting not a titli of the difli- culties to be met with in such a work. The real difficulty in the construction will be, M. Varilla says, with the shafts from the ends of the bridges down through and below the sea. The depth of water will probably be from 75 to 100 feet, which is not a serious matter, but the sea is very rough, and means of preserving the works during construction and iiiaintaiiiin r them afterward will have to be specially evised. ‘ “ For this,” M. Varilla says, “ I will be- gin by establishing an the coast near to the work a little special port for the work, and I will construct there a vast box of iron plates, without bottom or top, from 600 to 700 feet long, 325 to 400 feet wide, and 80 to 100 feet high. At the same time I will pro- vide on a large number of scows a great. quantity of rock. On a calm day the box, supported on a line of scows, will be trans- ported to the proper place and be sunk on r end in osition. Then the scows will dump the me along the side of the walls of the box so as to form about it a sort of protective belt like the breakwaters at the ports of Algiers, Philippeville, and Oran. This operation completed, I will have created a sort of island, having in its midst a little lake, which will remain perfectly tranquil even when the most violent tempest rages without. “This sort of shaft will have only the depth of the sea at this place, that is, about seventy feet. The first thing to do will be to sink it to the midst of the bed of iiiarly chalk, through which the tunnel is to be i pierced, and which is at once solid and per- fectly compact, I need not deseribe the process employed for the purpose of sinking the shaft ; it will be only the ordinary pro- The English Channel is P cess of shaft siiikers. They will have to break. the chalk by hammering it with the aid of angers and to dredge up the sort of mud that will result. “'lieu one shaft has. been sunk through all the permeable earthl into a firm and compact bed they will have .to construct the body of the elevator. It: will consist of four walls of concrete, very l thick, and sustained by horizontal metallic framework of sufficient strength. This. effected, they will sink inside a metallic} caisson as high as the depth of the shaft? This being in place, they will sink concrete to fill the space between the walls of the caisson and of the original shaft, and then, the water being pumped out, will leavea huge solid mass of concrete bound to ether by metal, with an open shaft throng the centre, to the impermeable chalk bcd beneath ; the ocean bottom." , The task of raising and lowering curs , through this shaft will not be so great as it ,‘ is done on similar elevators in several places, i notably at canal lifts in different parts of France. .\I. Var-illa :lSScl‘lS that the total cost of his bridge-tunnel will not exceed $1),000,-’ 000, and that it can be com )lcted within six j years. Only England and ‘raiice will have = - anything to say about it, because the bridg- , cs will not be carried out into the sea be- yond the limits of the jurisdiction of each country. That M. Varilla’s scheme has 1 merit is indicated by the. general attention ; it has excited in England and France among both laymen and scientific iiieii. ______*__.â€".â€" Jiinâ€"â€"“'l‘hat's a pretty girl, Jack, driving that pair of poniesâ€"â€"-pleasant face, too."! Jack “Think so? Now, she Coiivcys an en- 9 tirely different im ression to my mind.‘ Makes me feel co d; gives me a shiver “ Jimâ€"“\Vhy, you are talking nonsense."§ You see, she is a rein- ; dear." The wheel of fortune turns incessantly; ,round, and who can say within himself I‘ shall today be uppermost.â€"â€"[Confuciiis. l ‘~ you ' rapture. An American gentleman said to me, ‘tliata great blunder was made when t icir ‘ A tourist ticket can be purchased at u vcrv ‘- way. During the winter tlw. people-v of the ‘ who does him an injury; for he has it then - in his power to make himself superior to the I as well as the finest china, Edward Island. l Recentl I have visited the above pro- viiices an Prince Edward Island, and have had the pleasure of knowing a little concerii~ iiig these important parts of our great Do- ininiou. Canadians have much occasion to be mild of the lierita e God has given them. New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are very similar in appearance. A large portion of these provinces is very romantic, affording magnificent scenry to the admirer of nature. The lakes, rivers and creeks are numerous and noted for abundance of fish, which ive enjoyment and profit to the skilful aug er. The lofty mountains and rugged hills are rich with ore of various kinds, marble and valuable stone which will eventually give millions of dollars to these provinces. Il‘lic coal beds are extensive and of a good qualitv. The best timber of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia is almost gone, having been converted into lumber which has been largely sent to Europe and the United States. There are thousands of acres of small timber of difl'er- I cut kinds which will bring wealth to the owner. New Brunswick and Nova Scotiii have many fine cities, towns and villages which will compare favorably with the West- ern towns of Canada. I refer particularly to | St.Jolins, Halifax, Fredericton, St. Stephen, Moncton, Pictou, Truro, Woodstock, New Glasco, Marysville, Yarmoutb, New Castle, Liverpool, Chathani, &c. In these cities and towns are many prince- ly merchants, and a multitude of shrewd business men of all branches of industry. The commercial aspect of those provinces is very good. The people are intelligent. coni- fortable and contented, and many are weal- thy. The gentlemen occupying the different professions are equal in ability to their west~ ern brethien. I refer to ministers, lawyers, physicians and educationists. The clei‘gy which I heard preach are learned, eloquent, and able expositors of the word of God, and I was told in the city of St. J ohn, N. B., by course the old saying, “the wise men are in the east.” Church edifices are numerous, beautiful in design and comiiiodious;and what is betterstill, the ordinances of God's house are appreciated by the people general- 1y, which is obviously seen by the large congregations that assemble each Sabbath for the worship of God. The different denominations are represented as follows: Baptist, Methodists, Presbyteriaiis, Epis- copalians and Congregationalist. The Roman Catholics, of course, are there. . The Educa- tional advantages of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are very good. N 0 boy or girl need be deprived of a good common school education. There are also excellent denomi- national and State Colleges and Universities for both sexes, which would bring honor to any land. In many parts of these provinces there is excellent land for agricultural pur- poses. The Valleys and plains are fertile and when properly cultivated yield a remunerative harvest. Apples and other fruits are abundantly grown in parts of Nova Scotia and in some parts of New Quebec and very poor when compared with Ontarios. The ,winters are long and cold but I have been told not more unpleasant then the winters of Ontario. St. John and Halifax have the finest and safest harbors in the world. A large shipping trade is done in these Cities. Prince Edward Island is a beautiful spot, surrounded with salt water and the heath- ful breezes of the old Atlantic Ocean. I do not know a more lovely spot on the Conti- nent of America than this Island. It is full of advantages for the tourist. Charlotte- town the capital of the island has a po ula- tion of 12,000. It is graiidly located for 103t- iiig, fishing, etc. This city is entirely free from the great confusion of a western town. A large i'eiiuiiierative business is being done in a quiet way. Luxuries of all kinds may ‘ be obtained. Charlottetown has a fine class of stores, public and private dwellings. The hotel accommodation iscxcelleiit. The private dwellings of modern date are very good. The people of the Island are mostly from the British Isles, and are industrious, intel- ligent and friendlyâ€"u few French are there. There are small villages on the is- land where the tourist may i'iisticatc, and I close to the sea shore there are splendid summer hotels for the convenience of the pleasure seeker, at very reasonable charges. Prince Edward Island may be called a magnifi- cent garden. The field sarc free of stumps and so destitute of stone that you cannot find one (quickly) to throw at an enemy. The soil is red, and I was told very fertile and productive. Potatoes, barley, oats and boy are raised in great abundance. The Island is noted for fine horses and cattle. The income fi 0 ii eggs is immense, which are sold to dealers of the United States. On the Island are rivers and creeks \vlicre delicious trout may be caught. From the middle of June until the last of September the Island may be seen in its glory. The grass alone is worth seeing. It has a. cheerful green not seen in Ontario. The roads are ornament- ed with spruce aiid other nice trees. Noth- ing is more delightful to the pleasurist than to take a drive a few miles into the country: return home refreshed and full of “ ’i'iiice Edward Island is surely the garden of Paradise." The othodox churches are all represented, includiii ' the Salvation Army. - The people appear to In: happy and content, ed, and, of course, cannot think that there ‘ is a better spot in America than their own cosy island, and some of the fathers ima [inc dear little island came into the federation. I would advise the numerous readers of the E»? l'lxiiiiit to visit Prince Edward. Island. There is no better plat-c to spend your summer months at a iiimlcmtc cost. reasonable into. and the island is quickly and pleasantly reached by boat or bv flail- . . f island see few strangers. They are almost entirely excluded from other parts of thc~ 'I)oniinion for a few months, by a severe winter. A brave man thinks no one his superior other by forgiving it.â€"{l’ope. 1 ition of human nature, mageohave flawa in it, though the pattern may f the high. est value.â€"{Addisoii. So quickly sometimes has the wheel turned round that man ' a man has lived to enjoy the benefit of t‘ at charity which his own piety projected. -{Sterne. ’ The finest compos s » » ~ . ‘ ‘ s ‘ r._ q , - ' . s SSE __..â€".._... l ‘ p . - .Qi'ro‘Joni ENGLAND {TO THE conisrsp to the Mantiinervince andPrincel I By 1-. w. CLOVER. pus Express Measenger‘s Gruesome leht ‘ 7 - u , j _ 8‘ Shrew? xnnl‘ee tf‘erf Men" 00" Plead" hoarse whistle begun to sound. ‘\\ 0 pass ers in Lew Brunswick â€"corro crating of BruuSWick. For agricultural purposes these why, but I couldn’t resist turning it over, provinces are not as good as the province of WAY BILL. “A CD “ Adventure In His l‘ar. “During the winter of 1886." said an old express messenger the other day, “21 was in the Wells-Fargo service between Kansas City and San Francisco. The run was made upon the Atchison. Topeka and Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railways, that join at Deming. On Christmas Eve. bearing east 'ard, with the journey so far done from 'Frisco, the train drew out of Yuma, facing the Arizona desert in the midst of an as- tonishing storm of sleet and rain. Yuma marks the California line, and there, as we took on the stage company‘s strong-box. I counted upon the his! disturbance of the night. Until do} bicaik the journey lay through ulkuli stretches. where at every 100 miles the train rushes shrieking through a poor, uiicoiiiniei'cinl cluster of huts and bolts long enough for the locomotive to take on water. “Unscheduled stops, however. wcrc not infrequent at that tiiiic, and there hung within the car a ruck of repeating curbiiies, charged and primed. “ In taking account of the Yuma strong- box, weighing nearly two hundred pounds and ‘ vouclicred ’ to contain $50,0(Xl in gold, I glanced at the carbiiics. I looked again when I remembered that the safe contained as much more. “Joachim Murillo burned me out of the car for less than half that. and gave me the bullet- tliut liinn s my buck.“ said the burly man with u sinih , “I had hardly ll. dollar in the car the night I stood off the riistlers at Dodge City. I reflected. what will the Com any except now with $100,000 on my sliou ders? “ I assorted expi'cssugc, listed bills and overhauled the curbiiics us the train flow and the storm beat. I knew the route so well that I could call the towns and tanks as the engine whistled or stopped. “ ‘ Toltec. ’, I thought, as at midnight the her with a ‘ howdy. ’ No, by George ! we‘re going to stop. ’ “ I opened the door enough to see a liiii- terii swaying at a small station and a little group on the platform surrounding ll box and evidently preparing to put it on board. “ ‘ Tumble it in, quick, "I said. ‘ A little slow, partner, ’ replied ll man on the platform. ‘ Its ll coliiii. ’ “ A moment lill(l‘ I was alone with the corpse in a prison as secure as ii tomb, while the wheels roared beneath and the storm raved outside. “ Somehow I was nervous and couldn't keep my eyes off that cofiiii. I fancied that it moved and was slowly rising up on end, or that it was preparing an oiisluiiglit;tlieii that it was about to dis :lose the dead. “ The last of these notionsâ€"that the occu- paint of the coflin might liberate lierself~â€"got hold of me and I couldn’t shake it ofl‘. The box was of unusual size and exceptionally ill-iiiade. The wood was rough, warped and filled with knots and knot-holes. All this might easily have been due to the limited facilities of a desert town. I don't know face down. It seemed to me to roll horribly. . “Then I iiiiiigiiied I heard a noise at the car door and at the some moment ll. iiiovc- ineiit in the coffin. I knew it was foolish, but I rolled the stage company‘s strong-box, with its ‘200 pounds of gold, to the coffin and set it upon the lid towards the larger end. “Then I lighted my pipe, I noticed iiftcr< wards, thouin I didn’t think of it at the time, that most of the knot-holes towards the head of the cofliii were covered and seal- ed by the flat iron bottom of the strong- box. “Several iiiiiiiitcs passed and the engine had blown its “view-halloa!” at a wayside cattle town when suddenly sounds began to issue from the box. There was no doubt about it this time. There was ii. scuflliiig, a groaning, a kicking against the sides. “To say that I was horrified doesn’t ex- press it. The struggle in the box continued. I staggered to the gniirock, tore down ii car- biiic, cocked, iiiined and fired it through the | box ten feet away. “Miiflled sliricks iiow mingled with tho thumping and threshing iii the box. I fired again. The shrieks were rcdoubled. I bo- cuiiio frantic, iiiid shriede like a lunatic myself, which fired again and against the box until tl e magazine was exhausted and then I rushed to get another. “But the pine box was split and turn; the iron box was slowly crushing it down : through gaps in the wood blood was strcani- iiig and no sounds whatever issued from tho coflin. “ Finally a long, (lccp gronn escaped from the box. l’laiiily it was a man‘s voice. I managed to tear away the shattered lid. There was no collin inside, but only the body of a man torn with a dozen terrible wounds. “ He wore the garb of the frontier, with knife and pistol at his belt, and a loaded \Viiiclicstei' lay at his side. He was con- scioiis and gasped, ‘ Raise me up 1' “ ‘ Don’t water at Tank 22,’ said the man with difficulty, and his jaw fcll. “The engine stop )(Hl at water'taiik No. ‘Zl a half-hour behind sclicdule tiiiie. Shots wore fired through the cab of tlic locomo- tive and the express car as the train dashed by Tank ‘22. “The dead bandit was buried without identification at Deming, and some one scrawled upon the liead-lmard, .‘ Quien Sabc 1'” .. . .. . A._..-r u- A Sensational Wedding. A stunning and decidedly sensational wedding occurred in Odessa the other «lay. Marc l’ogoi'ezky led his blushing bride to the altar. \Vbilc tlic {lissiiui priest, or pope, as he is called, was preparing to per" orin the ceremony, Marc went out to get a. drink. saying that he would return in ii few moments. In his absence, liowcvci. a handsome young stranger approached thu- bride and offered himself as a substitute. She immediately accc )tcd him, and the po iv: who was half druii ' never noticed tin,- change. The ceremony was performed. Jllsl thcii Marc reappeared, refreshed and ready for matrimony. But when he found out what had liaipeiicd he proceeded at once to paint the c iurch red. fie thrashed the bridegroom, slapped the bride, knocked down the father-in-law, punched the pope, and kicked the mother-in-law. He was arrested : but as the (more involvesa question of ecclesiastin law, it was referred to tlr. Czar, the head of the Church. -â€"â€"-â€".â€"â€"-â€"â€"- Children increase the cares of life, but mitigate the remembrance of dwth.