McHenry Public Library District Digital Archives

McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry, IL), 28 May 1890, p. 6

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pi'*•' • • 3M MBMOMAM. »T SAW T. CLOVER. % tftaWi'ryl ».nfl worn out of ntwp. " '•••# XB eolorau of twos tlicy arable jpeft^ Owr the hilld to the graves beyoQd, , ' % Wherw #1] are journeyiug fast. • . ' "V; with f out hats as they go by I V r » / CLeer tor the patriots who wore the bMf' <Jc*rre>l and crippled and out of breath, Theae we:e the stalwarts of '621 f l , s r Wjin klpf'. and gray and out of step, *1' Buttered ami worn aud tattered, to®; f *CHve then: a cheer for Auld Lang Svne-- These were the heroes who wore the blMt MEMOIUAL-DAY MUSINGS JUCtokinx Backward--and F DtfKE BAILIE. mt COfc. ALEX. > the estimation of the cold, critical world there are not :n & n y heroes--liv­ ing.' One generation tor another re­ verses the rulings of those in whose foot­ steps they Iraad, yet the world moves steadily forward, ' ; » ' leaving ciowns for itij* dead, unmindful of the crosses borne •by the living. This may seem hard, bnt in strict jus-, ^tice it is right. With the quarter of a •century th at has passed since the sjir- arender* by Lee of his gallant army, s.nce "these years hare disappeared in the misty •horizon or.ee so near--with thesi have j .gjone the tears and the mystery, and in the clear atmosphere of the afternoon we *«ee that the critical woild is right. The Jfacne of the de «d is secure. That of the giving is not, and the prudent world re­ quires ample security for its indorse­ ment. This is a practical age of a mo6t practical trorld, and men of action, not theory, or those capable of combining the first with the latter, alone can become leaders and Tnlers. Sentiment is reserved for the ^ <few quiet moments, and hard sense only »is called into play duriug the manv busy "working hours. The men who died in *he glorious struggle for j erpetuation of «our nation as a whole; the men who led be applied to remedy the evil? Appeals have been made to the coloied man, urg­ ing him to arm for defense. Appeals have been made for "fffblection by the General Government. The armed resist­ ance of the negro in the South would be nothing less than a most terrible insur­ rection, followed by a war of extermiha- tien. The armed interposition of Federal authority would be a menace to the Southern people, resurrecting all the buried animosities of the late civil war. Conflict would be invitable, and what­ ever the result, lit, would not solve the problem, but. on the contrary, intensify hatred and strife between the races. How are these two antagonistic forces to be reconciled? This is a question for to-day; it is a question to be thought out, patiently and soberly. It is not a matter to be discussed over the craves of our departed heroe6, or in- troiuced by the orators whose Bpeoial duty on Memorial Day it is to eulogize the soldiers of the Union, dead or living. Bat it is fitting that on a day set aside and held sacred to the memories of the past, to recalling the time o- trial in which such terrible sacrifice was made to preserve a common country for dwelling within its limits, it is proper that the vital questions of the hour should occupy the minds of men even though their thoughts find no public utterance, and that each veteran of the war "for the Union," and every descendant of such, should over the dust of those they honor for laying down of life through patriotism, resolve to unceasingly, unselfishly labor to restore harmony, suggest means, and work to accomplish ends that will result in actually and entirely bringing about a "union of States, a union of hearts, and a union of hands" that no social, politi­ cal, race, creed, business or sectional quest ons can ever sever. There is work--great work, for heroes and patriots to-day--work as grand and noble for the young men of the present generation as for the veter.ns of the past to perform, as was ever comprised in the bloody tasks set before the men who now lie under flower nnd flag decorated sods. The sentimental side is well enough; it is eminently proper that one day in evh year should be devoted to the honoring of those who died that the nation mignt live; no pages of history, though they grow into millions, can 'do more than justice to their noble <Jeeds. But realities of the present must not be forgotten or neglected in contemplation or the ro­ mance of the past. The dutr of every rj|in to his country is as actual to-day as il w s twenty-five years ago, and that du­ ty is to preserve the peace won by the b ood and wounds of the men of '61-*65. Too practical in one way are we--in blind devotion to business, in continual seeking, all-else-forgetting, striving af­ ter wealth. We give twenty-four hours each year to the sentimentality of Memo­ rial Day, and the remaining three hun- On» day he receive! a letter. It con­ tained a miniature American flag--notic­ ing else. Two week* afterward he was a passenger on a steamer bound for New York. When his foot touched the soil of the Empire Stite he took his hat from his head >.nd, kneeling, kissed the earth, "Begorra, the bloke's crazy," said an Irishman who witnessed the performance. Walking toward the country town, a mile beyond which was the home ha once owned, he stopped to drink at a branch that ran along the valley between the pine hills. On the slope, a few yards distant, was the grave of a Federal sol­ dier--a prisoner who had died on his way to the stockaae. Looking in that direction, he saw a white object. "A ghost," he thought. But it moved about with a quiet briskness not peculiar to the ghost family. "I'll see what it is," he muttered. Approaching, he noted a neat railing around the grave. The ghost was a woman placing flowers on it. "It must be a phost," he thought; "his sister's, maybe." She softly placed a cross of bright-colored blossoms, which finished "ALICE!" HE SPOKE. the kindly task. She looked up and saw him. "Alice!" he spoke. She leaned ("gainst the railing. He thought it her ghost, BO pale she was. ^ " J obe, why did you stay away so long? You promised to come oafk soon, and you never wrote but one letter." He cowered before this arraignment, and evadingly answered: "What does this mem, Alice?" "To-day is Decoration Day. It's some­ thing new to you. This grave was lone- « *--<-» W " j » Jl /WJj 4.IUU VUU AVlUnJUiU^ IU1 Cv U "••• *the heroes in that strife; who planned dred aad sixty-four we live for self. As f»nd gainel our victories; who lived through the storms of b ittle to die •amidst the peace of a united country-- •these men took no sentimental view of %he revolutionizing of a world in which they were engaged during the years of "war, nor'did they fail to understand, to *^redict and to advise the material bene- -3its that would result from the then lav­ ish outpouring of blood and treasure 'which made all nations of the earth to look on with amazement at the seem­ ingly reckless, useless outpouring. Fourteen years after the close of the «3ivilwar, General Gra'jt, in friendly con­ fers ition, gave expression to views which Rare t*-day upon the pageg of his per­ sonal history a> grand testimonials to his patriotism and which should be held -is a legacy of wise council to the people «of this cation, especially those of the «3>ouih. It was while on his homeward -trip after making the tour of Cuba and Mexico in 1881). The man to whom he «<spoke was a native of the South, though c& steadfast "Union man" always. After a tbrief revie w of his political record, tonch- »in«? itsie and there upon incidents and re­ quite of the w»r, he unbosomed himself and gave expression concerning the part he took in the wnr, and his ideas regard­ ing its uses, as he was seidom known to -«do before or to the day of his death. " "4The conversation turned upon the bat- ""tles of Fort Donelson, Sliiloh, and Vicks- bxiTg, when some personal reminiscences -'wete mntually recalled. ^ *In those battles," said General Grant, ""as in all conflicts of the war, I felt that 51 was performing a duty for humanity as "•swell as for the nation. I was not the « enemy of the South. I felt no exultation • *t the slaughter of her peojSle. I never -felt in any battle as though 1 was fight­ ing against the South or fighting for the Uorth. I felt that I was fighting for the ^<5outh. and for the North, and for the nation, ond fighting onlv against a 'great wrong. It would have been a great •misfortune to the Southern people had "tfaey been successful in arms and enabled *£0 establish a sep rate government It "would not have been a government fash­ ioned after that under the Constitution of -?iie United States. It would not have %een a r< public. It would have been an oligarchy of the aristocrats, and the .^^rouiig men of the South would have been reduced to competition with the slaves 4a the straggle for existence. More than =«£hat, the poor man of the South would *to-d*ty occupy a position socially but lit­ tle above the negro, and he would be equally at the mercy of tho rich planter «nd slave owner. Now, you enn see for yourself the different statu of affairs. We have suppressed the rebellion and recon­ structed the Southern States. * You see the poor of the South in pos- «essien of the country »nd rebuilding for­ tunes ob the ruins of war: and you see *he young men of the South going out ®Lnto all parts of the United States en­ gaging in the professions aud the com- t-aierce of the country, building for them- «9©lves reputations and wealth and help­ ing to enrich their people at home. You t-sse peace in the North, peace in the •South, plenty everywhf re and an equal ^opportunity f-iven the people of all sec­ tions to better their condition in the pur- -aauit of wealth and happiness.0 The result of the war as General Grant ."pictured it fourteen years after the Btrife was ended is the condition that should • exist throughout the United States at '"this d.av. If it be not so, then the peace "which has been declared is not complete *aci<i the country is not reunited. The 'blood of the dead heroes whom we glo- erifyon each thirtieth day of May; the Sabore, sufl'erings and years of peril- -daring of the comrades who on Memorial Day strew the graves of their tallen ^brethren with flowers, all these have bailed to work out the grand practical re­ sults for which each thinking soldier, ^trom fewest to highest in rank, braved ;the dangers of tho-»e terrible years of war. We are brought face to fai-e with the Hact that two classes of citizens of the® 'republic have arrayed themselves against • aach other, not in tho sanguinary con- of arms, but in a dispute over a ques­ tion of civil and polii ical rights, which •threatens internecine strife. This disquietude and contention is an ••outgrowth, eve i after these many years, tb® war. It is an anomalous social •^Jonditioc, arising out of a peace that was ^stabiish'jd by the abitrament of arms. M.t ts a repudiation of the conditions of a fneaee which was accepted as the onlv aaitetuative, Sttppose the present dissensions " as «Gbey sometimes seem to threaten shbuld •become so wi esprea i and of so serious a «taiure as> to demand Federal interf, renee? When a revolt occurs against the laws I •Which are necessary for the maintenance ««of peace, it becomes the duty of the I |»owe* creating such law to arrest the &k*ad of violence and to perpetuate order. •Coacervative with the best interests of 'the republican government, it is the first •jdntyof local author .ties to execute the ww; if tbev should be negligent, the «nty then devolves upon the authorities ••f the State, and should the State fail to . *et, it is within the power of the General ^Government 10 insure a settlement of all , »§ntomai strifes. •Who can determine what means should . :rc"vr* . the men we honor by speeches and flags an i flowers died for other?, it is the duty of those who survive them to live for others. The formula used by Cain--type, as he was, of selfishness and cruelty--"Am I my brother's keeper?"--has been pro­ pounded by mortal men from his day to our own. He voiced the universal* in­ quiry. The answer to this question has the same force now it had then, and an added lorce which has cpine with added knowledge. Precepts have not the force of example, we know, but He who was the perfect result of all the good which the hearts and lives of men ever con­ tained, and our captain, who uttered the words, "Let us have peace"--they are per­ petual examples for all people. They thought and worked, unselfishly and con­ tinually, for the good of all. It is such musings that prompt these lines from one who through all the civil strife did what he could to aid his com­ rades honored on Memorial Day, and who can still tee that, while peace is not 1 yet secured to the land for which so many I died, for which such hosts still bear the agony of wounds, also recognizes the fact that our young men are cold or dead to the influences that again threaten to dis­ rupt our country. There i< no mau iiv- ing in this age bat knows his duty. How many are theie who do it? To know what duty demands is a great stride forward. And the responsibility attaching to such a condition makes condemnation far greater when there is a failure to live up to that knowledge. In all human relations, includ.ng domes­ tic and social unity, and tbence widening out into broader relations of political, patriotic interests, the idea of duty to country, with the light of God shining through it, brings to bear on every transaction of life an imperative obligation of loyalty to our lnnd und our fellow men. As we do our duty toward our country and our fellow men, we do it toward our God and ourselves. No po­ litical party or leader should receive blind obedience; if a.man would be free he must think and act for himself and o hers--for all. If the ^nen of to-day would not wear faces of shame when they meet--if ever they do--the heroes they glorify on Memorial Day, they must study the questions of the hour--must act without passion and all forgetful of self to harmonize the distracting ele­ ments now disturbing the land. They must insist upon justice to all, firmly; but with reason and kindness the? must insist upon this, they must awaken to the fact that they are their "brothers' keep­ ers." and that if they would truly honor those in memory of whom May 30 is held as a new "All Saints' Day," they must tight ns bravely and long, and suffer as patiently and severely, as those who for the Union bled or died. some, and l^liave made it cheerful. Am I wrong?" "Go^l have mercv on me for leaving you," he gasped. ltCan you forgive me? I am going to the old home; you know what for. Will you walk with me?" "Yonner coma Miss Alice!" cried half a dozen pickun nn'es, as the two entered the gate." "Biess yer .sweet soul, whar's yer bin all day?" asked the old negro woman, who took her bonnet. "lid gun ter git er little anxious erbout yer. But * "This is Mr. Linthi nm, Aunt Lucy. I expect he's hungry. I am." " Whut! Am dat Mr. Tobe Liathercum whut went ter Brayzill? He's mighty browned an' sorter gray, but now I look et 'im, dem whiskers kaint hide his pop­ per's eyes an' his muddor's smiie.' I'll fix sump'n scrumpshos fur ban to eat, sho!" "Alice--" he began. "The 'old Linthicum property* is mine, Tobe. Papa bought it. When he died, I turned farmer. Had I been a man, I might have gone to Brazil." "Alice, had I nothing more than myself to bring back I would not be here. But I have money too. I tried to stay away; but you--ana this"-- taking the little flag from his pocket and holding it out to her--"are responsible for my return You sent it?" "Dinner's ready, Miss Alice," called a voice from the front stoop of the house. * * * * * The walnut trees were in full leaf. The graves beneath them were bright with hyacinths and buttercups. The lovers sat on a bench near by. "I was wrong," he said, "10 say I have no country. I felt it sadly during all the years of my expatriation. But I partly atoned the folly by kneeling down, un­ covered, and kissing the ground when I arrived at New York. I will continue WITHOUT A COUNTRY. The Story of a Self-Expatiated ' Exile. 3? "BLVXEIl's KE<DY, MISS ILICE." BT CHAET.FS S. BLACKBURN. OBE LINTHICUM was mad when the civil war ended. The thought of again see­ ing his mother made "his heart throb with emotion; but he had f o u g h t f o r a l o s t cause, and defeat an­ gered him. The did home was gone to ruin. The fences were down, and weeds had usurped the place of corn and cotton. Could he utilize free labor as he had slave labor? He did not believe it possible, to himself or any other man. The walnut trees that shaded the fam­ ily burving-ground were in half-leaf when he got home. He stood with his mother beside his father's grave. "My son," she said, "you must give the old home a fair trial. It's bad, I know; but I can't leave here " "I will not leave you, mother," he re­ plied. Another spring saw a new grave there. It was his mother's. "I have nothing now," he said, "to bind me here. I love Alice, but she is too good for me. I have no country. I will go to Brazil and,die there." He sold the property and went into exile. He prospered. But as the mur­ derer cannot escape his conscience, so could not Linthicum escape the irresisti­ ble lougings of his own heart. His dreams wertf of the graves at the old homestead. That spot, once carefully j tended, was now grown up iu weeds, j every sprig of which pointed the finger of | contempt at him. The walnuts wrung j their limbs as if in painful wrath. A 1 sweet pale face at the village postoffice grew paler when the answer came, "No, nothin* ter-day, Miss Alice." He had written her only once. But why should he look backward? The past was dead to him; he was another man in another < land. / 'V thte atonement .by making the United States mv home stgain, and will seal the vow by kissing "A "The American flagi" she said, holding the miniature against her lips. He kissed the flag, and as he did so he gently drew it awav. Josh Billings' Philosophy. Advice iz like kastor ile--eazy enu£f to give, but dredful uneazy tew take. A good conscience iz a foretaste ov heaven. Tliare iz few, if enny, more sugest- ive sights tew a philosopher tlian tew lean aginst the side ov a wall and peruse a clean, phatt, and well-disi- plined baby, spread out on the floor, trieing tew smash a hammer awl tew pieces with a looking-glass. Evry man kan boast ov one admirer. If yu would be suckcessful in corekt- ing the iniquity ov the people, fire at j vices, not at the people. The trew way tew abnze a drunkard iz tew brake hiz jug. 4 Life iz a punktuated paragraff; dis- seazes are the commas, sickness the semicolons, and death the full stop. No ipan iz ritcli who wants enny more than what he haz got. Don't giv outward appearances awl the credit; the spirit ov a hamhuim boot is the little fat that is in it. A Near-Sighted Citizen, Citizen--Why don't y»u clean ont JOHN ALCOHWt ,'JV* Jojjtt Alcohol,tny joe, John, When we Were flr#t acquaint I n killer in uiy pookots, Johflj, •»1 V. " ; Which BOO, y® ken, 1 want. j * S"* 1 spent It all In treating, .TohtU; *' ^ *' Bwjausa I lov'it you BO; . But, mark y«,:)>ow you've tmatad'Mn' •?* John Alcohol, way joe. " John Alcohol, iny joe. John, V t We-»e been o'er lang th' gither; ; 8a« ye maun t-ak ae road, John, , J V ^ And I will tak' anttlier; "'f ^ For we nnuim tumble down, John, 1 f hand hand we go; And I shall ha'e the b II to pay, < 'i John Alcohol, my joe. " • .Tolm Alcohol, my joe, John. ' - Ve've bloar'd out a' my een, And lighted up my nose, Jobi}, A fiery sign atweeh. Ml ' " • .5*3 •- iy hauds wi' palsy nliake, JobDr •• % My locks are liko t.he»now; »* fe'll surely be fehe d -ath o' ma. ...A. * " 3 . Ye'll surely be the d -ath o' me, a, John 'Alcohol, lihy joe. "T1 r .**' John Alcohol, my joe, John, 'Twau love of you, r ween, i That t-ar't me rise sao ear, John,' And Rit sue late at e'en. s The best o' frien's luauu part, John It grieves ma salr, ye know? But "we'll gang uae mair to yon , John Alcohol, my joe. s „ fohn Alcohol, my joe, John, Ye've wrought me uincklo skaith; .nd yet to part wi' vou, John, ' ' X own I'm uuco' laith; •' , : But I'll join the Temp'rance ranks, AjfeKi'.'*: , Y« nendna sav me no-- *., • * ; Jt'n bettor late than ne'er do weel, John Alcohol, my joo, ^VALENTIN ; BY ETTA M ANCHAIUJ. A tall, blue-eyed 1 girl, with loose, brown ciirls floating from her face, like an aureole of amfcer brightness, and a slender throat, white and smooth as mother of pearl--that was Valentin Bruce, as she sat by the open window, dreamily watching the sunset flame melt into billows of light. And Col. Mordaunt smoked his ex­ piring cigar in the fragrant shadows of the shrubbery, aud wondered what for­ tunate mortal might be fated to buy Valentin's wedding-ring, and pay her millinerv bill, and be lier humble slave and servitor through life. Col. Mordaunt tossed his cigar in among the rose acacias that skirted the lawn, and began to select a cluster of exquisite moss-roses heedless of the thorns that pierced his unaccustomed fibgers. "She likes flowers," he soliloquized, "and moss-roses are certainly the pret­ tiest flowers that grow. I* will get a smile from those velvet lips of hers." He twisted a blade of pliant grass around the mossy stems, ia place of a ribbon, and sauntered carelessly up the graveled walk. All of a ' sudden he stooped. "Frank Aldrich's voice!" he exclaimed, biting his lip with vexation, as a peal of laughter floated through the purling twilighttfrom the open window beyond. "What brings that puppy hear, now, of all times and seasons in the world?" Hallo, Jack!" said Aldrich; "Been sentimentalizing out in the dew? The ladies were just fretting over the chauce of your taking cold.'" Movdaunt's face brightened up--then Valentin did think of liiui sometimes. That is," pursued the relentless Al­ drich," poor, thoughtful sister Katy said she was afraid you would have a cold, and Miss Bruce aaid nothing." Col. Mordaunt's countenance elon­ gated again. But he stepped forward and laid the knot of inoss-rose3 on the folds of Valentin's white muslin dress, with a few mournful woristhat nobody could understand. "Flowers, eh#? said Frank, super­ ciliously, "upon my wor<f, Jack is get­ ting prodigal !n - i Valentin looked carelessly down at the cluster of pink buds, then deliber­ ately took them up and tossed them out. on the lawn. » "Explain, if you please," said Frank, composedly, while Mordaunt gcew scarlet and bit his lips until tbe blood started. There was a worm--a horrid green worm on one of the buds," haughtily said Valentin, shaking off one or two crimson petals that still adhered to her muslin dress. "I have a perfect horror for all such noxious insects." Do you here that, Jkck ?" appealed Mr. Aldrich, lazily turning around in his chair. "It's a pity you were so un­ fortunate in the selection of* your floral offering." But Col. Mordaunt left the room. Kate followed hiin the next moment. "Dearest Jack, are you vexed with Frank and Valentin ? They don't mean to annoy you, I'm quite sure " "Not vexed, dear," said Mordaunt, only grieved. I am sorry Miss Bruce finds me so disagreeable." He went up-stairs, while Kate hesi­ tated a moment below. "He is better by himself," she said, mentally. "Poor fellow! he's dread­ fully in love, and I do wish Valentin would tease him so." And she went down into the terraced garden to gather honeysuckles for the parlor vases, and muse on her brother's manifold grievances. "It's too bad, so it is," slie murmured, winking back the bright drops that would suffuse her ha&w-brown orbs. "I shall talk seriously to Valentin about it this very evening." Meanwhile, Col. Mordaunt stalked sulkily up-stairs into his sisters' pretty little sitting-room, where the muslin curtains were fluttering to and fro in the delicious night wind, and the sofa was drawn into the little recess beside a table all littered with books, and magazines, and needle-cases, and thim­ bles, and the indescribable debris which two girls invariably collect around thiemselves in the course of a June afternoon. 3 He threw himself recklessly down on the sofa and drew the soft folds of Kate's cashmere shawl over him, as if jealous lest the soft eyes of the watch­ ing stars, that were just beginning to gem the heavens, should witness the struggle that convulsed this strong man's heart. Not that th§ grief wrought itself into any external signs. No, there was neither groan nor motion more than there had been when he liad been wounded at Spottsylvania, and rode on at the head of his regiment its bravely as though the red blood was not drip­ ping from his arm with slow and deadly drain. One might almost have fancied as he lay there, white and that gang of loafers in faont of that saloon ? Policeman (pityingly)--Guess you mils' be near-sighted. Them's city .of­ ficials.--New York Weekly. ,4. ; j-- IN 15*20, Magellan, a Portugrtew* fa the employ of Spain, sailed through the straits which bear his name, and so into the Pacific. It was not then known one could pass aronnd Cape Horn. Magellan lost his life in the Philippine Islands, but one of his smallest ships succeeded in making tho circuit of the earth, the first that ever sensation fr$m the contact of the caress ing arm. No doub the was a treacherous, hypo­ critical wretch--but, fair lady, or ohiv- alrous gentleman, don't judge the poor fellow too harshly until you have been in precisely the same circumstanoe yourself. It is just possible, you know, that you might do the same thing. "Now you are angry with me, Kate!" pleaded a soft voice, "because 1 threw those flowers away! and you won't speak to me: and I know I deserve it, dar- lin«!" There was a moment's silence, as if Miss Valentin had expected some sort of response to her pretty penitence. Bttt she did not get any, so, after a brief pause, she went on :* "Indeed, Kate, I didn't mean to grieve you, and I won't do it again. I am so sorry for my ridiculous freak, Do you suppose he was very angry, Kate? Do you" think I ought to ask his pardon? But then, you know, he didn't see "we steal around the lawn, when that odious Aldrich was gone, and pick up those ro^e< again." There was a strong synqpbm of com­ ing tears--a sort of quivering sob iu the voice. "You won't forgive me, Kate? Not if I tell you that I do really love your tall, stern brother? Only, Ivate, I was silly enough to want to tease him a little and te9t my power over his hoble heart. I love him, Kate--I may tell you of it, dear, without being bold or unwomanly, because you know, we have so often talked about his liking me a little, and--and--0I1, Kate, answer me! don't be so cold and cruel! Surely you can't be asleep. Where are your lips, cheramie?" she coaxed playfully. "I shall Boon break the magnet spell of silence that binds them. You know that you never keep vexed with me more than five minutes at a time. Why whero's your hair? Where is " She sprang suddenly to her feet with a piercing scream--her wandering hand had touched the dark, heavy mustache 011 which Col. Mordauht prided himself so specially. He strove to catch the hand--to de­ tain the frightened beauty long enough to plead his cause in earnest, impas­ sioned words, but in vain. Fear seemed literally to lend her wings. Away like a frightened white dove she flew, utter­ ing wild, hysteric screams, and fairly falling into the arms of the astonished Kate Mordaunt, who was just coming in from the starlighted garden with both hands full of dewy branches of honey­ suckles. "Valentin!" she exclaimed, dropping the spicy blossoms. " Why, what is the matter? what can have startled you so dreadfully?" "O Katy! Katy!" sobbed Valen'ia, clinging to her friend's shoulder with nervous vehemence, "there is a man in your room--a robber hidiug under your cashmere,shawl on the sofa! Oh, I'm nearly frightened to death!" Katy's serene browu eyes dilated a little--then brightened into a smiling archness. "A robber!" she repeated, with pro­ voking calmness. "Nonsense, Valentin, you are mistaken. It was only Jack! I saw him go in there not half an hour ago. The idea of taking our Jack for a robber!" Kate's laughter rippled merrily out at the mere fancy. • Only Jack! In the midst of her tor* ror, the possibility had never once oc­ curred to Valentin Bruce's mind. Only Jack! The Forty Thieves themselves would have faded into mere nothing­ ness before the pere idea of Col. Mor­ daunt having heard all those soft plead­ ings and unconscious admissions. One minute Valentin felt as if every vein were filled with molten fire, then she grew white and cold aa marble statue. Life $nd strength seemed ebbing away from her, and for the first time in her life Valentin Bruce fainted away. Katy Mordaunt quietly sprinkled scented water on the pallid forehead, and began to unlaco the white muslin dress. As she did so a bunch of faded flowers fell from Valentin's bosom, and Katy smiled to herself as she recognized the moss buds that had been so haugh­ tily thrown at her on the lawn that very evening. "I'll keep them for Jack," she said. "Ah, Valentin, you'll be my sister-in- law yet." How shyly the blue-eyed damsel stole into thgbreakfast-room next morning! She would cheerfully have fasted all the day long sooner than enter the presence of the tall Colonel. But what was the use? The dreadful first inter­ view must be got over, sooner or later, so here she was with downcast lashes, and cheeks dyed as deep pink as the rose-colored wrapper she had on. No more haughty airs and graces--no more cool composure. She was sat Col. Mor­ daunt's mercy and she knew it. Would he take cruel advantage of her help­ lessness? Or would he-- But there her cogitations always stopped. He was standing at the window, look­ ing out upon the morning sunshine that bathed the short, velvety grass be­ fore the piazza. But he turned quickly as she entered, with a bright welcome smile. "Valentin?" he said, gently, "was I dreaming last night, or did I hear you say that you loved mo ? O my darling one, tell me that it was no baseless dream!" She came shyly to his arms, and nestled there like a fluttering fawn, voiceless yet happy. Still he was not contented. "I want to hear it from your own lips yet again, Valentin. Nay, dearest don't shrink away so pleadingly but answer me." "What shall I say?" she murmured, timidly raising her soft eyes to his face. "Tell me that you love me." Sweeter than the fall of mujrical cas­ cades through groves of tropic bloom --softer than the thrill of nightingales in Persian valleys, the three charmed words touched on his ear, and he knew that she was his--his forever. The courtship is drawing to a close now; the white satin dress is finished, and the wedding cake is iced to a fault­ less perfection, and the white roses are in bpd that shall soon be woven into bridal bouquets; but Valentin is ex- •• around his motionless head. "Kate!" Like the tremulous coo of the wood- pigeon, Valentin's voice murmured the two soft syllables with the coaxing ac­ cents of a child. And in the same in­ stant she knelt down beside tire sola, her white dress sweeping over the crim­ son carpet like tides of translucent pearl, and one arm thrown over the de­ ceitful cashmere shall! Col, Mordaunt's first impulse was to spring up and declare his individuality --his second to lie still and let fate manage the matter to suit herself. So he lay still accordingly, experiencing a very singula* •iwi.iiOfc him asleep as he la.v mere, wnite ana , trftmely sensitive on the subject of silent, with the curtain sweepuig ^own j shawls and twilight confi­ dence. And Katy Mordaunt--saucy little elf that she is--declares that Miss Valentin Bruce took advantage of its being Leap Year to confide her true sentiments to the dark-haired lover whom she delighted to torment. Excusable Delay. Good Minister--It is hours since you left the dealer's with that parrot, and you are just getting it here. Messenger Boy--Please, sir, I noticed that the parrot said swear words; so me an' the other good little bov3 got np a protracted meetin' to convert him. lie's <0Jl right XMA Weakly. • , . A mih TO THE DEATH. ' • •• .fcv:" •' Two ladlan CHlefa' Vorocloua Mid Vrlfllf fal Bsttlo. The M&ndan tribe of Indians of the Dakota family were among the bravest of the race of red men that once wan­ dered over the plains of the West. Mah-to-tob-pa or Four Bears was their Achilles, and his deeds of prowess were actonishing. 'On one occasion a war party of 150 Cheyenne warriors dashed up to a Mandan town, secured one scalp and a number of horses. Four Bears followed the Cheyennes with 50 war­ riors. After two days' pursuit he came upon them and planted his spear iu the earth, '.the Cheyennes had recognized the challenge to single combat and their chief entered the arena while the two war parties drew around to see the duel. At a signal the two warriors rode hard at eac h other. When near together both fired. They passed at full gallop, wheeled the horses and stood facing. The Mandan took off hit powder horn and held it up. He showed the Cheyenne that the bullet had shattered it and that he was without ammunition. He threw the horn upon the ground and dropped the gun beside it. The Cheyenne instantly threw off his am­ munition and dropped his gun. Both dr*nv their bows and arrows and placed their shields upon their left arms. Down they camc agsin, and around and around they circled shooting as fast as the arrows could be discharged. Some of the arrows were pinned on the shields. Some lodged in the arms and legs and made bad "wounds. Suddenly the horse of the Mandan fell, shot through the heart. The Cheyenne reined up his horse and jumped to the ground. The warriors laced each other for a moment and then advanced, firing their arrows. The Cheyenne's quiver gave out first. He snatched it from his side, held it up and showed that it was empty. Then lie threw it on the grourid, tossed aside his bow and shield, drew his knife and held it above his head. The Mandan acknowledged the new challenge with a whoop, aud threw down his shield and quiver. He reached for his knife, but it was not in his belt. In the hurry of leaving his wigwam he had left it behind him. But the Mandan did not hesitate. He met the Cheyeune half way, and all that he had with which to match the knife as a weapon was the empty bow.1 With the bow Four Bears struck th® Cheyenne once and then closed in with him to get possession of the knife. Again and again the keen blade was drawn through the hands of the Mandan. and three or four times he received a thrust in his body. At last he wrenched the knife from the Cheyenne and drove the blade through his heart. Weak and faint and covered, with blood, the Man­ dan held up the knife, claimed the battle and the scalp. Not a word was spoken. The Cheyennes turned and rode away, leaving the Mandans mas­ ters of the field. Naming a Novel., Many a reader of novels doubtless feels that when a work of fiction is written, the author's task is done, not realizing that its name often proves a stumbling block to his invention. With Dickens, a title was the first necessity. Having settled upon that, his story troubled him no more. Never were his difficulties greate than before writing "David Copper- field." For months he deliberated and fumed. "My mind is running like a high sea on names," he wrote to a friend, "not satisfied yet." He finally fixed upon six desirable names, and from these his children, with the help of his friend Forster, se­ lected one; thenceforth all was plain sailing. Sir Walter Scott always maintained that the name of its hero was not the best title for a book. "Nay," he said to his publisher, Con­ stable, who broached the opposite theory, "never let me have to write up to a name. I have generally adopted a title which told nothing." Theophile Gautier's novel, "Le Capi- taine Fracasse," has a eurious history. In 1830. it was the custom for literary beginners* to announce, with their first books, an imposing number of forth­ coming #orks. They would select at random a list of catching names, which sometimes actually became the titles of books, and, in many eases, were ignored by the author, and forgotten by the public. Thus was ""Capitaine Fracasse" prom­ ised to the world, bnt not for thirty- years was the book written. Then Gautier, goaded intq action by the thought of his unkept promise, set about his task, and completed it, merely to keep his professional word. He had not the slightest personal in­ terest in this obstinate captain, whose name had dogged him, all these years, like a specter, but lie wisely judged that the only way to get rid of him was to give him fame and substance.-- Youth's Companion. The Navajo Blanket. The Navajo tribe of Indians own im­ mense flocks of well-bred sheep, and the* wool clip averages one million five hundred thousand pounds annually. A part of this finds it way into the regular market through the traders, but the greater portion is carefully selected for the manufacture of blankets. After being cleaned, carded and dyed by a process known only to themselves, the wool is ready for the loom. The weavers are important person­ ages, and w'fll only perform tho labor of making the blanket, therefore the work of erecting the hogan, which contains the loom, devolves upon the squaws. The hogan is made by planting six rough-hewn poles, about eight feet high, in the eArth at regular intervals, form­ ing a small square. On top of these boughs of trees are placed to form a roof and shade from the burning rays of the sun. The center poles form tiie sides of the room, and about a foot from the top and bottom cross poles, with hftles bored through them for the warp, are securely fastened with rawhide thongs, The warp is made from the fibres of the yucca tree. It is treated in a man­ ner known only to those who prepare it, and the secret will not be divulged to a white man, therefore their blankets can only be duplicated in quality and tex­ ture by themselves. Formerly these blankets were made solely for their own use, but since they were conquered by the government and thrown almost en­ tirely upon their own resources for a livelihood, the value of their blankets was impressed upon their minds by traders and has become the leading in­ dustry. IT is the old,man, as a rule, who gives the advice to the young man. And it old man, too, who gives the to the confidence man.-- is the money Puck, • »D9, qpg«E ASP CUBIOUS. &a churchyard, not far from D|0f^ son, Ga., is a thorny rose bush whidl was planted in 1800. THERE is said to be a tree ' at Monti- cello, Fla., which bears three kinds el fruit--quinces, pears, and apples. A LONDON genius has invented a hot water apparatus to warm piano kevs, ao that dainty fingers may not be chilled. SOME scientific person has discovered that woman, in the not very remote fu­ ture, will not only be a brunette, but her descendants, both male and female, will be black. A THOUGHTFUL suicide in Paris, wish­ ing to avoid giving his friends unnecee- sary trouble in removing his remain*, closed his career on the door-sill of til*. Morgue. THE elder Dumas, being asked what kind of a time he had at a reception th« night before,' replied very soriously, "I would have had a dreadfully duli time if I hadn't been there myself," MB3, HARRIET E. WRIGHT of Oneida. N. Y., is the proud possessor of a butter ladle belonging to her great-grand­ mother. This ladle is 140 years old, and is a rare curiosity. A NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD girl of Min­ nesota has one hundred and forty-five warts on her right hand and thirty on her left hand. All attempts to remove them have been utterly useless. MRS. G. W. MCGINNIS, of Alphar- retta, Ga., has a breed of chickens that she sa^s will eat only «-ix months in the year; they fast the other six, and are as fat at the end of their last as they were before. A POORLY aimed bullet* from one of , the new English army rifles used at Aldersliot Camp, some days ago, went very wide of the mark. It traveled over two miles before it stopped. On this account, practice at Alderahot had to be suspended. A BRIDE in Albany, €ta., just before the ceremony, was annoyed about some­ thing that had gone wrong,and thought­ lessly said, in the hearing of tho groom, "You may 'count on it that the next time I'm married I won't have this con­ fusion." HERE is a name worn by a colored girl in Western Tennessee. It is pro­ nounced in a sing-song way, according to the division of the different names; Carry-Ann Happy-Ann Ann-Eliza- Scales Blow-the Bellows Potters-Field Rosa-Ann-Thomas. A BELGIAN has lately invented a mu­ sical shirt, on the cufi's of which frag­ ments of a score are printed, so that if the instrumentalist be a flutist, harpist, pr cornetist, he has his entire part under his eye, and need not carry any further music abottt with him. THE siugular spectacle of a man walk­ ing along the street eating greenbacks was presented in Duluth, Minn., the other afternoon. He swallowed $48 in fives, twos, and ones, when he was caught by the police and taken to the station house. A search revealed $607 between his inside shirt and skin. He suffers from the hallucination that peor . pie are trying to steal his money. , THE parish registries of England con­ tain some queer names. Among them may be mentioned Foot Bath, Paschal Lamb, River Jordan, Morning Dew, Offspring Deer, and Smith Follows. One Too Many and Not Wanted James were the names given to the last two children in a large family. Edward Bing Tslly-Ho Forward Jewett appears in pne record, and from isix to ten bap­ tismal names are frequently found. > A GREAT secret has just been im­ parted by the French Government to the Government of Russia. It is the secret in regard to the manufacture of smokeless powder. The Russians are about to begin the manufacture of it upon a large scale, using imported workmen, and being careful to exclude Germans from the factories. The basis of the powder is said to be salphurie ether. A PARISIAN ventriloquist blockaded'» street in the French metropolistfor half an hour by standing beside a sewer opening, from which seem to come re­ peated .shouts for "Help! help!" A thorough exploration of the sewer was made by the police; but as they had to force the crowd from the opening, tho ventriloquist was kept back with the rest, and then the shouts ceased. Ote Bull's Independence* Thelate Ole Bull, the well-known violinist, was perfectly fearless of con­ sequences when his self-respect was touched. As an example of this: The Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg gave the musician a letter of commendation to her father, then Kiug of Prussia, afterward'the Emperor William. With this he went to Berlin, where, as di­ rected, he called first on, the Superin­ tendent of the Royal Opera House, to whom he stated his mission. That gentleman was so patronizing that Bull could hardly stand it, but eventually an hour was fixed on the following day for another call at the opera house. The violinist with his usual' punctu­ ality presented himself at the hour, de­ termined to stand no nonsense. "Where is your violin?" demanded the Superintendent. "In the case," responded Ole Bull coolly. "And where is the case?* "At the hotel." "But did I not tell you to»play loir me ?" "Excuse me, sir." was the answer; did not think you werte in earnest. ^ play either for" money or honor, and ia this case neither is in question." The manager was piqued and he re­ plied sharply: "I cannot present you to his Majesty without having heard you." "If the request of the Grand Duchess is not a sufficient recommendation to his Majesty, lier father, I am content jt(k leave the city," which he did that day. Chambers' Journal. i'* Her Dearer . Name. teachers of kindergartens hiffl» many amusing stories to tell of their little pupils, but it is seldom they meet exactly the sort of difficulty which lately confronted a pretty and sweet young teacher in a suburban school. ^ Harold, aged 5 years, went to Miss 'N Brown after school one day, ana said, "Miss Brown, may I call you 'Helen'?" ^ "Why, Harold," she replied, after a ; moment's surprised hesitation, "do you know any little boys as young as you are who call young ladies as old as I an by their first names? said Harold^ very reln§* Si mt S'. ^ No'm,' tantly. "Then I think, dear, you had better call me 'Miss Brown,' just as all the other little boys and girls do, or else they might think it was rather queer.** "Yes'm," he assented, with a sigh, and then, with his most winning smile, he pleaded, "but. Miss Brown, may I think of you as'Helen'?" 5 % ^ . . - * * » i s > , u - v * ' K- ".'.'A. ffp '* . ,*-•*

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