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iAway to the west in the Valley of Ingraham, where the amethystine sky droops In a sapphire protectorate over the undulating sub-valleys and the sloping hillsides; away to the west, where the winter, yielding to spring, bursts like an emerald lily un­ folding its petals, where the summer is dreamy as hashish, and where the glorious golden Autumn is a panorama of prism-kissed grandeur, there stands •mid luxuriant elms on a southern slope, a Hildreth Home for Orphan Here among the zephyr-lulled sur­ roundings, with the riming birds that pipe their songs of gladness and their twitterings of grief, dwelt Thomas Fitzmaek and Frederick Sehaub, two adolescent particles of human debris gathered from the wreck-strewn wa­ ters of Fate. Of their parents they knew nothing except a fragmentary recital by a kindly and imaginative preceptress Inured to satisfying blood- longing by building upon the merest fragments of known knowledge, snatches of strange, almost inconceiv- able family history. This, instead Gf satisfying the childish yearning for a mother or a father, but fed the fire-of longing, inspiring the two boyish hearts to reach out their tendrils of affection for tangible support. And , each, finding nothing on which to 'fasten, turned from pure sympathy to the other, twining and intertwining bis love about a common comradeship. ~"Then into the Valley of Ingraham, trader the amethystine sky, there came • story book--and a little girl with carls like the gold-bronzed leaves on the side-hills in October, with eyes like the azure skies in Indian Summer, with a laugh like the ripple upon the rosy pebbles at the ford--and she gave them the book from beyond the garden wall of the Home, where she dwelt in a great, brick house that stood like a castle within the maples .ttgion the hill. . She proffered it as they stood open- ttouthed, awe-stricken, gazing across the ledge. As the boys lingered, spell­ bound, she fed her squirrels and chat­ tered with the chipmunks in chorus. Thomas and Frederick accepted the book with that strange reticence that Mixes awaken in each other even at It was Tommie who suggested it, but Frederick grasped the suggestion with avidity! They would write a book like that! A clandestine raid upon the school supplies, furnished the material for work and the novel was begun. Long and earnestly they pondered o'er the name and plot, but at last, one holiday morning, when the leaves were glint­ ing in the glowing groves and the grass was rustling on the wooing breeze, they wrote the virgin page to­ gether, Tommie wielding the graphite laboriously as became so momentous an undertaking. then it was decided that each, Ifi turn, should write a chapter until all was finished. Daily they wrought, resigning pull- a-way and football with the other boys, feverishly to hurry toward com­ pletion "The Tragedy of Banock- brook." Then--somehow, neither seemed to know how, or why, or when--there crept into their rendezvous that hide­ ous, insatiate monster, Jealousy; a suspicion that each was making of himself the hero, each seeking in turn to lead nearer to a great, grim wall of towering stone behind which in a castle of igneous boulders dwelt a woman who, to call her queenly fair, would be to flatter queens! And yet--suddenly the realization came like a call to arms--there was but one heroine! There could be but one hero! Ah, the tragedy of boy life, the in­ tensity of boy love, innocent, pure, undefiled, the noblest love that sex e'er gave to sex, the sweetest and the blessedest that God e'er vouchsafed to beautiful womanhood! The rivalry of love and despair, ^wrestling like demons with the stal­ warts of affection and comradeship, wrilhSa 8nT"twisted in a close em­ brace! Complainingly, each sought at first to defeat the purpose of the other, but as the story grew toward its nat­ ural finis, they quarreled openly. One evening, just as the birds were peeping their last good-nights before tucking their tiny heads beneath their fluffy wings, and the noisy bull-frogs In the bayou were harshly calling the spotted legions to partake of a "jug-o- see If his rival was senseless or In full pursuit, sped fast--and ever fasten- to the dormitory. Far into the night, past the mid­ night hour he wrote, and at the first glimpse of dawn, in the fastness of a gyivan forest of maples beside a rip­ pling lake of sheening waters, he met the lady of his dreams! Doffing his helmet and kneeling be­ fore her on the silvery sands, he poured forth his adoration and his love! "Arise," she lisped in accents sweet as whispering winds. "Arise, for thou hast won me!" With a great Joy In his heart, Thomas left fits room, avoided Fred­ erick, and slipped slyly away toward the brick house on the hill. Long he watched and waited! At last, she came, more beautiful, more fairy-like than ever! Calling boldly, Thomas rudely thrust the book into her hands and scampered away into the bushes. Having accomplished this end, de- The visitor started, as if prompted by some sudden impulse, tea trained himself, uttered a quiet "Thaifk you, sir!" and withdrew. • • • • • • * The hands of the clock lacked bnt ten minutes to the appointed hour next day, when Frederick Sehaub be­ thought himself of the unperused man­ uscript. With small good nature, he opened the envelope and casting a critical eye upon the title page, i"ead: "The Tragedy of Banockbrook." . " 'The Tragedy of BanockbroOk,' " he mused, groping for the thread In his memory. "'The Tragedy of Ban­ ockbrook*"--and then with a sweep that startled him, the scenes of in­ tervening years were set aside, and back, back along the beaten path, sped his thoughts to the .Mississippi Val­ ley and the Hildreth Home for Orphan Boys! With flushed haste, he ran through the manuscript like one seeking an open sesame to Joy. It. was--indeed, I I f i n o i s N e w s Choice items from ov«r the state, specially selected for oar reader* GARDEN FARMERS' ELECTION DOG NABS ESCAPING PRISONER 0 "Have a regular eld time." Illinois Horticulturists Select Officers For the Ensuing Year. 'The forty-ninth annual meeting of the Illinois Horticultural soclrty came to a close at Bloomington after a session full of interest. The election of officers resulted as follows: Pres­ ident, H. A. Aldrich, Neoga; vice pres­ ident, George J. Foster, Normal; sec­ retary, L. R. Bryant, Princeton; treas­ urer, J. W. Stanton, Richview. The following is the new executive board: H. A. Aldrich, Neoga; L. R. Bryant, Princeton; H. T. Thompson, Marengo; J. L. Hartwell, Dixon; G. J. Foster, Normal; J. It. Reasoner, Urbana; J. W. Stanton, Richview; A. V. Scher- merhorn, Klnmundy. The directors of experiment stations are: A. E. Rlehl, Alton; George J. Foster, Nor­ mal; L. R. Bryant, Princeton, A pa­ per by W. R. Soverhill Of Tlskilwa on the care of orchards furnished the principal discussion of the closing day.' The vegetable awards were an­ nounced, A. J. Dunlap of Olney and George Kerr of Bloomington winning nearly all the prizes. The next meeting place was left with the executive board. Blooming* ton extended an urgent invitation. so tender an age as ten, and ran away |$to the woods to peruse it. ' And the story! What a wonderful, wonderful world It was into which the readers wandered in their enchant­ ment. Together they admired with divers "Ohs!" and "Ahs!" the book's beautiful cover and breath-taking pic­ tures, together they read it chapter for chapter, snug in a copse, lying flat upon their stomachs in the matted grass--and together they went often to the garden fence to catch a glimpse of the dainty little fairy with the golden curls and sky-blue eyes. 8obbing in anger and new-found hate. moonlit bank, they rum" upon the came to blows! To and fro they Burged, sobbing in anger and new-found hate; swerved, weaved and tottered upon the brown­ ing grass, torn and loosened; with none to applaud tbeir valor, with none to condone their hatred! At last, Thomas, ever the stronger, and heretofore always the gentler, flushed with the madness of war with­ in him, struck one blinding blow, tore the volume of contention from Fred­ erick's grasp, and turning neither to the left nor right, pausing neither to ' M '9 w (Saw! [TiH't GdBTOSQ the lamplight was yellow,' Gb« fire­ light red. And they shone both together on each little head Bent over the letter I struggled to write, : .With the gay little heads getting all of ^ the light. ,.;«!>ear Santa Cl&us. darling." they told me to say, •fjlere's the list you're to wtsg are week from to-day: - ; , A top; a policeman's patrol; . - A big toy express; 4 A silk party dress; A magnet, with fishes and bowl* -« / "An automobile: A pig that can squeal; - An engine, with gong; book-and-ladder; A glittery ring; A bird that can sing; Oh, nothing could make a child gtoddsrl •"A turtle; dUl pickle: A rake, hoe and sickle; A bear With a ring in his nose; A celluloid collar; A real silver doUar; Some plaything that winds up*** MA saucer and am; • A piano; a pup* feating his adversary and carrying his banner to the uttermost peak of suc­ cess, repentance overtook him at the summit! After all, what did the book matter? It was ohly a "play" book at best! And for this be had beaten and humil­ iated Frederick, his dearest and only friend! Because he was the stronger he had been tyrannous* and had used his brute strength as beckme a tyrant! Weeping at last, he sought his com­ rade to implore forgiveness, to say that they would write another and a better bookr &nd he, Frederick, might be the hero all the time, might marry the queen of the castle and "be happy ever afterward"--but Frederick was not to be found! Diligent search was made by the school authorities, and, on holidays for weeks, the sorrowing, lonely Thomas made long pilgrimages into thecoun- tryside in quest of his former play­ mate, but to no avail v A year later, inconsolable, forsaken and alone, Thomas, too, left the Home, upon the stern mission of making his own career. * « • » • • The day was drawing to a close In the great city as Frederick Sehaub, editor of the International Journal, closed his desk preparatory to going out for dinner. His great coat was half on, as a presumptuous caller, de­ termined in his persistence, crowded past the protesting, office boy and stood before him. The visitor was tall and slender, with the look of care in his eyes. That he was a writer was evident from his dress and mannerism. Rap­ idly, as though fearing the refusal of an audience, he spoke, telling his mis­ sion, the bringing of a manuscript. Would the International give It sym­ pathetic consideration? He needed-- yes, he would be frank, his wife and himself were driven to dire straits! He had been ill, had been unfortunate, his position was gone, he-- Stopping suddenly, the struggling writer peered Intensely into the impa­ tient face before him. Over his cheek, there swept a striking pallor, but averting his eyes and tightening his muscles, as if in protest at his weak­ ness, he ended his appeal in a plea for an early reading. "We do not usually consider manu­ script so inopportunely," replied the editor, proceeding with his coat, "but I will make an exception in your case. You seem Justly anxious. Call to­ morrow at 2. Tou will excuse me now. I have an engagement and am already late!" Handorgnn with monkey and cap; A pony and cart: A gingerbread heart; And a baby to hold on my lap." But do you suppose that, whin Christ- man day broke. The children sot half of the things they bespoke? Kek did the gatnt fall them; he got all they said-- With the queerest old Jumble he piled up his sled. But on reaching their chimney he found that the flue Was too small for his pack, and It wouldn't go through. 8e he left what he could, and then scat­ tered th' rest Over city and country, just where he thought best. it was--the story of himself and Thomas Fitzmaek! But through It all there pulsed the breath of contrition and regret. He was finishing the manuscript tfhen the writer entered, within his yearning eyes a halting look of fear and doubt, a glance of mingled hope and anticipated defeat wrestling for mastery. Frederick Sehaub arose tremblingly, Intense in his gaze. Before him stood the boy who had been his best friend, the collaborator of his first literary, effort, the rival who had taken from him his first boyish love; his master then, now a cringing, pleading, half- starved "hack" crying to hear his call! But, God, that was long ago! Had they not been near and dear to each other! Comrades in charity! Fel­ lows in Joy and in sorrow--all save this once! With a cry of joy, he sprang forward: "Tom, don't you know me? I'm Fred--Fred Sehaub bt the Orphans' Home! Why--" The other, calm, possessed, cast down his eyes, and choking, said: "I know you, Fred. I knew you last night, but I was afraid, afraid you would remember what a cruel cur I was, away back there among the hills --and, Fred, we're--we're hungry up at our house! Can you use the story? Can--" But the conclusion was drowned in the rough embrace that fell upon and about him. "Use your story? Use your story? Yes, a thousand times, yes, old man! I can use your story! I can use you! I can--We will collaborate together again! Here, take this! Come back to-morrow! Come c-riy, oome to work! There, never mind! Go tow! It's all right!" He wiped away a tear himself at the sight of the strong mut sobbing before him. "Go to the wife, Tom, and tell her. Get her braced up and bring hr r down to dinner to-morrow night. It's Christ­ mas Eve. You hadn't forgotten? We'll go to Shrader's. Have a regular old time--and tell her about that first novel of ours!" laughing like a boy again, back In the Ingraham Valley. "What's that? She knows? 8he is? The little girl with the golden curls?" and Frederick Sehaub held out his hand again. "Well, I forgive you even thit, Thomas--besides there'll be four* In the party to-morrow. Yes, we're go­ ing to be married in June. Say, but won't we have a high old time!" And the air fairly crinkled with of delight Tries to Break Jail. Ray Brom was sentenced to forty years In the penitentiary for the mur­ der of Fireman Richard L. Roberts at Decatlir last summer. The judge had granted a short stay of sentence until the case could go to a higher court, but when it was discovered that Brom had almost succeeded In sawing his way out of the county jail he was at once sentenced and removed to the penitentiary. and Seizes Hint by the Trousers Awaits Arrival of Guard. "Spot," the faithful watchdog lit the Belleville jail and workhouse, cap­ tured Bruce Blaine, who had made his escape when the guards were not watching. Blaine was recently sent up from East St Louis to serve a thirty days' sentence for vagrancy. Shortly after the prisoners had been returned to the workhouse after tak­ ing dinner at the jail, Blaine scaled the walls and was running at a rapid rate when "Spot" gave chase, and, after a run of over a quarter of a inile, seized him by the trousers' leg and held him until Andrew Schaefer, one of the guards, arrived and took him in charge. The dog is of the bull variety and this is the seventh pris­ oner he ' has captured in a similar manned since Sheriff Thompson took charge of the jail, two years ago. A few months ago the dog prevented a wholesale jail delivery Of women pris­ oners by howling while he stood guard at a hole the women were digging through the wail. Coroner's Report. The report of Coroner Baer made to the board of supervisors of Sangamon county, showed that of the 647 in­ quests held* by him in eight years over 45 per cent of the deaths were due to alcoholism. Other statistics in the re­ port: Railroad fatalities, 146; street car, 7; coal mines, 82; suicides, 84; heart disease, 80; miscellaneous causes, 130. There were sixteen suicides in the county in the past year. Printers Elect Officers. The Edwardsville typographical un­ ion has elected officers as follows: President, J. J. Burns; vice president, Andrew Detterding; recording and cor­ responding secretary, Geo. C. Har- tung; financial secretary, H. A. Dur- er; reading clerk, Chas. H. Spilman; sergeant-at-arms, William Barra- clough; delegate to trades council, C. H. Spilman. Prisoner Attends Child's Funeral. Through the kindness of Sheriff Thompson of Belleville, Victor Toma- son, who is -confined in the Belleville Jsil on a charge of highway robbery, was permitted to attend the funeral of his infant child in East St. Louis* Sheriff Thompson took the prisoner to the house'and cemetery. Child Mistakes Tablets for Candy. John Rexford, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Black, met a violent death at Sycamore from eating a quantity of laxative tablets, mistaken for candy. A physician was hastily summoned, but before he arrived the child suffered. a series of spasms and died. Must Pay for Burnt Corn. Judgment has been entered by Jus­ tice Glass at Edwardsville, against Henry and Frank Kluge of near Grasr "sey Lake and Eugene Schall of St. Louis for the destruction of a quan­ tity of corn on the premises of Frank C. Bailey. The men had started a fire on the prairie for the purpose of driv­ ing out game, and It spread to Bailey's corn and burned a portion off it. Parents Are Dead* Mrs. Matilda Young, widow of prominent Alton glassworker, died from pneumonia, contracted while nursing her husband during his ill ness. Mr. Young died eight days be­ fore. Mrs. Young was taken ill the day he died and was unable to attend his funeral. She was in her 41st year, and Is survived by two children. * Labor Assembly Elects. The Centralia trades and labor as­ sembly has elected officers as follows: President, W. J. Adams; vice presi­ dent. George Sherwood; secretary, R. E. Vaughan; treasurer,* Chas. Allen; financial secretary, August Peifer; ser­ geant-at-arms, O. B. Correll; trustees, C. D. Tufts and A. J. Sliger. Butchers Ask License. The butchers of Murphysboro have requested the city council to fix a $50 license for retailers of meat. They believe they should be protected" against grocers who sell fresh meat and farmers who peddle meat through the city> Enforces Convict Labor Law. Gen. James Smith, warden of Ches­ ter penitentiary has made his report to the state board of prison industries, Showing that there are 1,007 convicts confined in that penitentiary. He said the convict labor law was rigidly en­ forced. Hurt by Falling HatchsL • A hatchet that fell from the second story of a building at Edwardsville. on which John A. Fisher, a carpenter, was working, struck himi%n the head and lacerated the scalp and injured his nose. Get Verdict for $5,000i In the Adams county circuit court Mrs. Emilie Schmitt was awarded a verdict of $5,000 damages against the Quincy electric light company for the death of her husband. Population of Jacksonville. A new directory will soon be is­ sued for Jacksonville. The last census showed the population to be 15,078. The new one places it at 18,000. CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. That made our dear youngsters owu Santa Claus right; For thousands of children wars happy as kings With our children's turtles, as and things. The Children's Memorial hospital at Chicago is to be of the pavilion type with separate buildings, connected un­ derground with a service tunnel for distribution of supplies and food. The building will be fireproof throughout, with pressed brick exterior, trimmed with stone in colonial design. There Nonagenarian Dies. James T. Baker, who had resided in Quincy since 1835, died, aged 90. He was one of the pioneer wholesale mer­ chants of Quincy, but from 1880 until 1903 he was stamp clerk in the post- office. Died From Accidental Wound. Adolph Stenick of Assumption died at St. Mary's hospital at Decatur, as a result of a wound he received while hunting, having accidentally shot him- self. ' Chief Engineer Is Hurt. ^Ben B. Stakemiller, chief engineer in charge of the Illinois Terminal rail­ road construction work at Edwards­ ville, jumped from a train at the I. T. crossing and received several bad scalp wounds and other bruises. • Steam Shovel Crushes Hand. - Arnold Glass, son of W. H. Glass of the Madison coal company, got his left hand caught in a steam shovel at Ed wardsville, resulting in so crushing thq member that half of it was ampu- t*ted by a physician. will be a solarium in each building for patients, and sunshine daily. In addition to these the ample walks, lawns and playground will be used by the more advanced convalescents. The nurses will be housed In a sep­ arate building detached from the hos­ pital grounds. 8topa Poultry Raffles. Chief of Police Maxwell served no­ tice on all Alton saloon keepers that they must cease holding raffles of poultry in their places. The practice had become a nuisance, the chief said, and many complaints were made. Deputy Sheriff Gets $400. The jury at Springfield in the case of Walter S. Catlfield, deputy sheriff, against Thomas Hogan for $5,000 ^damages for alleged assault, returned an award of $400 to Canfield. Hunter Loses Eye. 3. E. Hefter, of Centralia, who was accidentally shot while out hunting a few days agb, was compelled to submit to having his left eye removed, as, a small birdshot had lodged la the'cen­ ter of the eyeball; Coal Mine Is Sold. Jupiter mine, No. 4, of the Manu­ facturers' fuel company at Piixokney ville, with division headquarters at DUquoin, has been sold to the White Walnut eoal company Plncksey- t die. . ' • -X • , SAYS MINE SCALES-ARE LOADED Workman 'Declares Weights Filled With Lead* Thus Cutting Guipui. George Hurst, a miner, employed in the Crown Coal and Tow company's mine, about four miles west of Belle­ ville, has filed suit in Justice Wangfr lin's court In Belleville for $200 ag&inst the Crown company, which, he alleges, is due him for coal mined, but for which he received no pay. ; Hurst alleges that the scale on which the coal boxes are weighed,- when they are first hoisted, has bee* altered, and that as a consequence they have been defrauded out of a large sum of money. They allege that several weeks ago one of the men dis­ covered that a weight on the scale had been loaded with 3 ounces of lead. On a box of coal this would make a difference of abouj*.*97% pounds, and on a car a difference of 3,200 pounds. During the six years this weight ia." alleged to have been in use the miners say they have lost $24,000. The suit will be made a test case, and if Hurst wins it is said that the other 124 miners will file similar suits. The case is attracting a great deal Ot attention in mining circles in 8t . Clair county. • * > - f ; ONE DEMOCRAT IN CONGRESS Henry T. Rainey Escapes the Land­ slide of Ballots on Npv. 8. Secretary of State James A. Rose has issued a list of state officers elected Nov. 8, as shown by the offi­ cial canvass. According to this list there will be onp Democratic congress­ man, Henry T. Rainey, of the 20th district, in the Fifty-ninth Congress. The Republicans elected twenty-four of the twenty-five members of the state board of equalization. Louis D. Hersheimer of Pittsfield, also from,Mr. Rainey's district, being the only Dem­ ocrat who pulled through. The offi­ cial canvass showed that the state sen­ ate will have forty-one Republicans and ten Democrats,* gain of three He- publicans over the 43d general assem­ bly. In the house there will be ninety- one Republicans, fifty-six Democrats, two Socialists, two ProhibitioniBts'aad one independent. Y. M. C. A. Closes Rooms. The Y. M. C. A. of Cairo will closo its rooms, sell its furniture and effects and release its general secretary. This was decided upon at a meeting of the board of directors, as the association is now $600 in debt and the prospect of successfully carrying on the work during the coming year and liquidating the indebtedness is not at all brighti Oyffig <*9 Gas Nearly Asphyxiates Couple., , Charles Hackley and wife came v«y near meeting death by asphyxiattbn at their home in Harrisburg. Before retiring they oovered the fire and opened the door. When found by ona of the neighbors they were almost dead from suffocation and it,was sev­ eral hours before they were fttliy if suscitated. Young Man Hangs Himself. Clifford Sioo, aged 22 years, co«a- mftted suicide at Poplar Bluff, Mkfc. by hanging. He left his home in Cairo without telling his parents where he was going. His body was, found by some boys out hunting. He has been ill for several weeks. His father is ThonHas J. Sfoo "of the Cairo postofflce. • , ; Miners' Delegates. tike Springfield subdistrict miners have elected the following delegates * to the national convention to be held in Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 16; Daniel Clark, James Fagan, M. E. Keeley, Patrick McGinnls of Springfield, James Foley of Greenview, John Cullen of Barclay and M. E. Walsh of Rivertq*, -- • ' vy- Youthful Forger Pleads Guilty. r In the circuit court at Harrisburg Eugene Barnes, aged 17, pleaded euilty to forging checks In llvecountai and was sentenced to the penitentiary by Judge O. K. Vickers. . • J r t Hunter is Fined. . - \ Joseph Simcox of Patoki iihur caught hunting in East Fork town­ ship by County Game Warden Nor- cross. His fine and the costs ed to $30.95. . ® County Officers to Meet. Feb. 14, 15 and 16 have been fixed as the time for the annual convention at Galesburg of supervisors, commts» sioners and county clerks of Illinois. '."I Accepts Galesburg Call. ^ Rev. F. A. Johnson, pastor of First Lutheran Zion church of Chf- caj^o, has accepted a call from the |"irst Lutheran church of Galesburg. * lip. Voluntary Bankrupts. H N Lynn ft Lynn, merchants of coin, have filed a voluntary petition <' in. bankruptcy. Liabilities, $7,588; aa ^ sets. $3,400. ' - Work on Dunkard's Hdkne. Work on the old folks' home of tii* Dunkards of the southern Illinois dis­ trict at Girard has commenced. The home will occupy a beautiful knoll oa land deeded to these people by C. C. Gibson. Mule Kills a Miner. BAward Randell, Jr., died Elizabeth's hospital at Belleville. 27 years, as the result of being kicked by a mule In the Skellett mine. He tp survived by a wife and two small chil­ dren. To Erect Opera Houaa. The secretary of state has issued 4K* tides of incorporation to the Taylor- ville Amusement and Enterprise com­ pany; capital stock, $25,000. The company was organized to bnild a aeW;; opera house in Taylorville. " $ Judge Early Is Appointed Trustee»^J Gov. Yates has appointed Judflt William E. Early of Edwardsville, former circuit judge, on ti*e board of trustees of the Illinois training school for girls at Geasva.'-tioe--AHa & of Geneva. "*^££3s