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9 ontom ?4 COXK̂ î TTJP̂ U v-̂ 2&~TM-A5&acZ4Z£7? 11V ŝumgrizAGdzrzMzy.) SYNOPSIS. •"Vanishing: Fleets," & story of "what 9iight have happened," opens in Wash­ ington with the United States and Japan »n the verge of war. Guy Hilller, sec­ retary of the British embauy, and MIsb Norma Roberts, chief aide of Inventor •Roberta, are introduced as lover*.. Japan .Declares war and takes th« 1P1IIMI>!SII'», S"he entire country is in a Htnu> of tur­ moil because of the government .» Irr.lif- ferenco. Guy HiUier starts for Ki>Blu»d. Xorraa, Roberts with niUUary of­ ficers also leaves Washington on my»- terious expedition for the FinHda cotst. Hawaii is captured by the .laps. All purln are closed. Slego, Japan^so spy, UlMs ove,-* :«ecret preparations for- war. HP follows auto carrying presidential cabinet, lie unearths source of great mystery nn<l flees, murmuring: "The gods save Nip­ pon." Fleeing to Pacific coast, Rlogo Is shot down just as Journey to get awful tievrs to Japan seems successful. Japan announces intention to attack seaports. Toltyo learns of missing Japanese lloot and whole world becomes convinced that tJnited States has some powerful war agency. England decides to send a fleet to American waters as a Canadian pro­ tection against what the British suppose Is a terrible submarine flotilla. Hilller is also sent to Canada to attempt to force •his way through American lines with a message to the president in order that .protection for the fleet may be assured. Japan appeals to Britain for aid. British •fleet departs, amid misgivings of English. "Fleet mysteriously disappears, a sailor picked up on a raft being the only evi­ dence of the loss. Powers begin to fear for their safety. Hillier makes a failure of effort to deliver message to the presi­ dent. War between Great Britain and •Germany Is threatened. The kaiser dis­ appears. King Edward of England is •confronted by Admiral Bevins of the United States, and upon promising to present the %nissing British admiral, the monarch agrees to accompany Bevins on tour, which the latter says will uncover the agent of war and end all conflicts. CHAPTER XII. The Dreadnought Returns. This falling of the heavens would bare created little more consternation and excitement in London than the sight which met the residents' eye3 on the morning following the king's visit to the Hippodrome. The fog which settled unexpectedly on that night of June dissipated itself as stealthily as it had come, and floated out with the dawn, leaving in its stead a, clear sky. And then, as if a rare discovery had been made simultane­ ously by thousands instead of one, a swarm of people, defying the rush of motors, of omnibuses and hansoms, debouched on the Thames embank­ ment by the stately pil^ of buildings where parliament convenes, filled the roadsteads, jammed each other against the river wall, and scorned the constables, who vainly strove to main­ tain order and uninterrupted traffic. There, resting serenely on t^he bosom of the river where in times be­ fore Roman galleys had floated, was the pride of ther British, navy, the Dreadnought Neither an officer of the watch, a sailor, nor a marine be­ strode her decks. Inert and un­ tenanted, silent and lifeless, she lay close by the great gray buildings like the last survivor of a defeated army who had crept home to bring a report of disaster and was resting in the shadow of the last refuge. Her un­ masked guns stared wide-eyed and mournful; from her crippled funnels came no wisp of curling smoke; from her channels stretched no anchor chainsr and she paid no heed to the vagaries of the sluggish current; ner prow which had defiantly parted so many seas was nosed into the mud in helplessness; but as an only solace there floated from her stern the un­ sullied banner of the United King dom, and whipped as she was she had come back to her people with colors still flying; The miracle of her position was greater than the marvel of her return; for above and below that spot on the river were bridges impassable for a boat of half her size, beneath which tugs and other craft were wont to lower their jointed stacks. In all the world there was no known strength or mechanical contrivance that could transport over shallows and bridges 22,000 tons of steel, and then leave it in this prohibited place. Her very appearance bore mute testimony of singular strife. True, she was intact to a point flush with the great steel domes which held her menacing and frowning guns; but her fighting masts, her top rig, and the upper .bands of her funnel were riven off as if by one devasting line shot taken full abeam or square astern. The wreckage of this hamper had been removed, so that no debris littered her deserted decks. For many days of gloom it had been accepted as a fact that nothing but .annihilation could account for the dis­ appearance of the squadron which had doggedly sailed away into the mys- erious west to vanquish a terrible and unknown enemy or meet a glorious ^(death. Little hope had been sustained as the days of silence w€nt by that any explanation of that defeat might be forthcoming, or that any vessel might return; and now before Lon­ don's gathered populace was a grim relic which only added to conjecture From no source could the secret of this mysterious visitation be learned; and so the crowd watched and waited. A boat, whose flag distinguished her *s being of the river patrol, obeyed a tiail from the shore, pulled noisily up the stream against the outgoing tide, and circled round the leviathan as though suspecting danger from within. ' Her chief officer, after due caution, |uid receiving no response, cautiously jtflrected her along side, and boarded Ithe Dreadnought over the starboard (quarter. The ever increasing crowd along the embankment drew in its ^breath in expectancy, waiting for a vej^tlon. It heard him shout "Be ow, there *** snd leaned forward, tening for whatever response might friven; but nothing was heard save d i) ̂ Mir Ml Vi fJLLUSTBA TED -rW V i iriife f Ut •UR V| l \ l v \ I »• N \ i"l w 'V I I liAvW In a Moment More Ha Stepped to the Rail. the steady lap of-the water and the farthest sounds of early river traffic. The officer advanced along the deck to the companionway, and leaned cu­ riously into it repeating his hall, aria once more there was a wait and no reply. He backed away from the en trance, and hesitated. It* was plain that he desired witnesses before in vading the precincts of a stricken craft, and in a moment more he Btepped to the rail, held a short con­ versation with those on the decks of his boat and then waited till he was joined by others of that force that guards the Thames. Three men clambered aboard and stood by him until they were joined by two others, who, obeying a low-spoken order, sta­ tioned themselves at the head of the companionway. The officer and his assistants advanced slowly, stepped into the darkness and disappeared into the depths of the battle ship, while the suspense along the embankment and on the patrol became more intense. It was several minutes before the inves­ tigators reappeared, and then they had gone only a short way into the vessel. They talked to the rail, and the crowd remained waiting. With British taciturnity they declined to an swer any of the questions which were shouted to them from the shore. The little boat swung off, turned her nose out into the stream and steazqed hurriedly away at full speed, bent on summoning others of her service; and in less than half an hour returned ac­ companied by a small flotilla, which spread out and stationed its members close up against the sides of the stranded craft Another officer of higher authority Joined those waiting on the decks of the Dreadnought, and led the way below, ready to learn the worst. He went as Into a plague ship manned by the dead expecting to meet nothing but grewsome relics of trag­ edy, and prepared for shocking sights. From place to place he advanced al­ most on tiptoe, and followed by his companions who stared into darker corners of glanced fearfully behind when the echoes of their falling feet clumped hollowly through the steel cavern. Once & weird shriek caused them to spring toward each other with nervous fright, and when the ship's cat came mewing up to them, begging in Its animal way for companionship, they looked foolishly at one another like boys who had been startled in the midst of ghost tales told by a camp- fire in the woods. Cabin after cabin and wardroom aft­ er wardroom was opened and searched; but nowhere could be found sign of disturbance or conflict. There was not another living being aboard to greet them, nor did they And more awful testimonials of war. In the captain's quarters, clean and business-like, the roll-topped desk was closed, and the books on top of it were in order as for inspection. At its side stood a typewriter with the tin resting lightly upon it, and a stenographer's case notebook beside neatly checked and showing that the last letter or order had been completed. On the wardroom table lay a magazine open and turned page downward as though the reader had desired to keep his place and bad stepped away from it on a sudden call, In the galleys of this great floating home pots, pans and kettles were placed in orderly array in their racks--no thrifty housewife could have left her kitchen In better iti'A In the <hartroom the traced highways of the ocean's bed were drawn up in their closed cases, a^id the hoists were not loaded or littere#' with ammunition as would have been the case had the battle ship been in action when overcome by the enemy. There was nothing above or below offering a key to the enigma. Puzzled and overcome, the patrol­ men took temporary charge of the ship, while a boat hurried away from the miniature flotilla, carrying a de­ tailed report to the admiralty, where the news was received with amaze­ ment no less than that which had brought the crowd on the embank­ ment. Subordinates of departments called for their tardy superiors, tele­ phone bells jangled, and British phlegm gave way to excitement; but even in this remarkable state prece­ dent was maintained and routine ob­ served, so that from man to man, go­ ing constantly upward, the report reached the first lord of the admiralty. Then for the first time It was learned that this high and mighty of­ ficial was missing from his home and had been summoned to the palace in the night. No delay could be brooked in an event so startling, and with due ceremony inquiries were instituted for him. This caused an investigation in gray old Buckingham, which spread until it came to the head of govern­ ment, when it became known that not only was the navai officer missing, but no less a personage than the king of England as well. in great disasters by sea or land where swift Death ravages, men cry aloud in their excitement and dis­ tress; but when a calamity threatens a nation and a king is involved, they seek to hide their emotions. Hence it Was that in the palace men Came hurriedly together without words to those around, and in whispers ex­ pressed their anxiety. It was recalled with alarm that the kaiser had left his palace in an equally unceremonious manner, decoyed by a stranger, and enticed into the night. Nor was his fate as uncertain or with more ground for question, because there he had been traced to a carriage which had driven away. The king of England had gone into his garden, and the guards at the gates swore he had not passed the portals, which they watched. And for their pains they were doubted and placed under temporary detention un­ til the king should return to prove that they were not in a conspiracy against the state. Perhaps the alarm would have been less keen were it not for the tale of the kaiser; but the cases were so parallel that the conclusion was in­ stantly formed that England's mon­ arch was probably in as great jeop­ ardy as his fellow ruler who had now been gone for many days. The nobles looked at one another askance, and asked what times were these when no person might be so august as to be Immune from seizure. Where was the limit to be reached? What could be expected next? Was there no pos­ sible protection even for the heads of government and society? In the offices of the admiralty those of more or less prominence in the de­ partment held a conference and de­ tailed men to take charge of the Dreadnought. There cofttd be no at­ tempt to rehabilitate her at that time, inasmuch as it would be impossible ever again to bring her into service without destroying a span of the bridge below; therefore no coroner's inquest, could have convened with more solemnity than did those men who took charge of and boarded this great dead thing of the sea. A derelict cast upon an open sandy beach offered more chance of salvage than the greatest vessel of the great­ est navy of the world, nosed in the mud and practically walled in. And while she lay in this state of helpless­ ness there was forming round English shores a formidable flotilla of other war vessels flying the British flag, which had been summoned from all watery of the globe to protect the mother country from German invasion or if need arose gallantly to seek death beds in the sea in the attempt to fend off the American terrof should it be directed against the la* land ruler of the waves. As they advanced, captains of thia great navy arrived In London In re­ sponse to urgent summons and hast­ ened to the admiralty. One and all they were asked to pass expert opinion on the condition of the Dreadnought, and offer a solution of the methods used to bring her to that singular anchorage in the river; but, like chil­ dren groping In the mist they could formulate no tenable theory nor give any lucid explanation. They looked at .each other in amazement, wagged their heads and admitted their inabili­ ty. Plague would have left dead men at their posts, or battle would have left more serious scars than the cut­ ting away of the fighting masts and wrecking of the stacks; but even then who would navigate her to home wa­ ters, and what could account for her presence In a place where even a small sea-going craft could not go? If that nation in the west had a sub­ marine of terrific speed and unknown power It might perhaps destroy a ship; but by what means could it force it under or over a bridge. of solid masonry and steel? And so the men of the sea passed down and back, while the people of London spent the time in trying to see the latest evidence of disaster, took turns in crowding to the em­ bankment, and then went to their homes. Business came to a halt, shops were unopened and desks were closed. Iij the government offices men moved helplessly, and in . homes throughout the country families sat within doors gravely discussing the latest manifes­ tation of power. Nor was the public aware that in higher circles another cause for anx­ iety had been uncovered, which waa nothing less than the disappearance of the prime minister. A king, a prime minister and the first lord of the admiralty taken at one time! It was sufficient to make others of prominence look at one another ques­ tioning when their turn might come and what the end would be. No one was safe In this great crisis, when thrones tottered on their settings and men were whisked away in the night, when the post powerful vessels of war created by all the wisdom of science and ingenuity of invention might be dominated and handled like toys. There was no ground for belief that any power other than the United States might have been the controlling spirit in this long series of untoward events, but from that nation came no word, only a silence more menacing than the thunder of distant guns, and more terrible and ominous than an open display of invincible arms. It took no great stretch of imagination to people the air with, phalanx on pha­ lanx of stern and implacable foemeni bent on invasion when the time seemed ripe. A country which could flauqt the world was capable of any­ thing, and it was not believable that she was acting without a purpose. But what means did she take? What would be her next move? How had she accomplished those victories al­ ready scored upon her tally sheet? Only one hope for partial explanation remained, and that was based upon the return to sanity of a maddened sailor who had come to them on a life raft from the unknown, as the only witness of a disaster, and the only living link. And even while the anxious officials thought of him a group of surgeons i and specialists were standing round a j cot in a hospital watching this man J breathe his last. Now that his im-! portance had increased a hundredfold Death was intervening and sealing his lips. He passed away as silently aa he had been found, his jumbled wits giving no new and tangible clew. Speechless he had been picked up on a life raft in mid ocean, and speech­ less he voyaged out into another world. Night fell over London, Infolding a stricken city where none came upon the streets and men within doors whispered to each other, dreading what the morrow might bring forth. The heart of Britain, beating with dogged determination to the last, waa broken. America was the master of fate, and could deal out its awards or blows with the ihexorableness of a tod. (TO BE CONTINUED.) INDUCTOR SAVES A TRAIN. Swings Aboard Caboose and Wama Oncoming Flyer, Heavily Loaded. Conductor William McCoy of the Denver & Rio Grande road is the hero of a thrilling ride over LeVeta pass. Boarding a? runaway caboose as it passed Walsenburg station, going at the rate of 20 miles an hour and gain­ ing momentum every moment, he saved a passenger train from wreck. McCoy was in the depot when he heard the sound of the approaching car. Thinking part of the train which he had come in on, and which he had left to be switched, had broken loose, he ran out and saw the caboose com­ ing down the track. Quick as thought he remembered that a passenger train was coming in within a few minutes and that the flying caboose Was on the same track. He took his life in his hands and swung on to the runaway car. He tried to put on the brakes, but was unable to. Something had given way, which accounted for the car breaking loose. At the same instant that he learned of the brake's failure to work he saw the distant light of the passen­ ger train coming up the divide. In a brief second he had taken the lantern from the rear of the caboose and was madly signaling the oncom­ ing train. Engineer Henthorne of the passen­ ger train saw the signals, stopped his train and began to back up with all possible speed. The wild caboose gained oh the en­ gine as both neared the junction, but the train reached safety in time for a brakeman to jump off and throw the switch, permitting the caboose to take the Y toward Trinidad. On the Y track it soon struck the heavy grade on Tuna hill and stopped. The passengers on the train did not know the danger until it was all over. Then they realized that only the pres­ ence of mind of Conductor McCoy and the prompt action of Engineer Hen­ thorne had prevented what would prob­ ably have been a severe disaster. BY RAIL TO CUBAN 8HORES. Engineers Triumph In Laying Tracks Across Florida Straits. When the Key West extension of the Florida East Coaat railroad, work on which is being pushed rapidly, is completed from its preaent terminus at Knight's Key dock Co Key West and Henry M. Flagler, owner of the road, is able to carry out his announced in­ tention of ferrying trains from Key West to Havana, passengers will be able to enter a parlor car at New York or Chicago and upon leaving it, step off on Cuban soil. It is planned to have trains running through to Key West in time for Mr. Flagler to ride over the line on his eightieth birthday in January, 1910. If the ferry takes the trains across to i Florida straits to Havana from Key West, it is estimated that the time be­ tween New York and the capital of | the new island republic will be 50 | hours. At present the time between the two cities via steamers sailing ; from Knight's Key dock, is 52 hours 10 minutes. Part of the ' road yet to be con­ structed between Knight's Key dock and Key West will cost more per mile than any railroad heretofore built. I Spans longer than any yet used on this unique railroad, running as it does for many miles over the< water, will be required. From Knights Key dock to Key West the distance is 45 miles. Ninety miles of water lie between Key West and Havana, but after leaving the mainland at the southern extrem­ ity of Florida, trains will run over the water on long concrete viaduct bridges stretching from key to key for an even greater distance to Key . West. Hard Times Force Millennium. The panic in October, 1907, caused Immediately a very heavy fall in the traffic and gross earnings of the rail­ roads of the United States. Many lines were reduced over night, as it were, from prosperity to the danger of bank­ ruptcy. In this emergency the man­ agements turned to the employes for help. The employes, out of a sense of loyalty, as well as for their own pro­ tection, were glad to give it. The story of the way vice-presidents, general managers and superintendents, con­ ductors, enginemen and engine wipers labored shoulder to shoulder during the past year to keep railroad expenses below railroad earnings Is an interest­ ing and picturesqpe chapter in the his­ tory of American railroad transporta­ tion. During prosperity bickering be­ tween managements and employes was chronic. Adversity quickly made them see that their interests were mutual and interdependent The story ia dra­ matically told in Technical World Magazine. STATE HAPPENINGS Train Run* Away. Its brakes helpless to hold on the icy rails of a steep grade west of Balsam station, near Asheville, N. C., the highest railway station east of the Rocky mountains, a Southern railway freight train attained the terrific speed of 100 miles an hour, down the Balsam Mountain with John Coble, engine driver, in the cab making his first run over the road. All the train crew ex­ cept Coble jumped, and alone he shot down the grade. At the curve at the bottom five cars on the end of the train jerked into the air and whiplashed into Addie sta­ tion, knocking the frame structure into kindling wood, three of the freight cars piling on the roof. Coble stopped the train two miles beyond. Russian Schools. Our secondary schools are bad', tha primary schools are not better, but it Is to the superior school that we must look for the heart of putrefaction. It is the superior school which sets th« bad example, which depraves youth, habituating it to idleness and incut eating; revolutionary principlea.--Jour nal de St Petersburg Oh, Quit. Here is the way to quit smoking (recommended by a man who failed to make it work): Instead of quitting off short, quit gradually. Don't smoke in the morning until you can't stand it any longer. Then smoke a cigar, and then quit again until you are compelled to smoke or go crazy. By degrees, you will learn to do without smoking. --Atchison Globe. New Electric Headlight. Tfce Maine Central railroad is trying out new electric headlights. The Cur­ rent Is supplied from a small turbine- driven generator on top of the boiler. Fift|f. Per Cent. Paid In Wagea. Every time you spend a dollar at a railroad ticket office or freight office you pay 50 cents for employes' wagea Atlanta.--In the primary city elec­ tion here the following officers were nominated: Republican-r-Mayoi; R* Patton; city clerk, M. M. Hoose, 4; M. F. Watt, 39; city marshal, Willis Ball; street commissioner, George H. Huber; police magistrate, E. Chittick; alder­ man, First ward, W. H. Neel; Second ward, J. F. Adams; TMrd ward, J: W. Gordon. Democratic--Mayor, William Hunt.; city clerk, James Hart; city marshal, R. H. Quisenberry, 26; W. A. Hieronymus, 33. Rockford.--Recognizing the absolute necessity of placing the state univer­ sity among educational institutions of the highest class, the Illinois Farm­ ers' institute adopted a resolution urg­ ing the house appropriations commit­ ter to consider favorably the joint resolution authorizing the university trustees to adopt such a policy as will attract and retain the best educational talent obtainable. Rockford.--A request that courses in the household science department of the State university be one, two or six months or one year, two years or four years, as the applicant may choose, and that dormitories be erected, was made of the university trustees in res­ olutions adopted by the department of household science of the Illinois Far­ mers' institute. Peoria.--By forceful statementa made by the officers of the union af­ fecting their favor to socialism, the resolution brought in by a special com­ mittee on political action, denying as­ sistance to members ot the United Mine Workers of Illinois who should become candidates for state offices, was lost almost unanimously. Bloomington--The romantic mar­ riage at Windsor, Mo., of John F. My­ ers, a rich retired farmer here, aged 74, who has obtained local fame as a poet, and Minnie L. Barrett, aged 27, became known. Attracted by a vol­ ume of Myers' poems a year ago, Miss Barrett corresponded with him and a wedding followed. Peoria.--There waa no contest for mayoralty nominees in the two big parties. Thomas O'Connor, the pres­ ent incumbent, was named by the Democrats, and E. N. Woodruff, former mayor, by the Republicans. Three of the present aldermen lost to rivals In contests for nominations In the vari­ ous wards. Chicago.--The will of the late Con­ rad Selpp, Jr., disposing of an estate valued at $1,500,000, was filed in the probate court. Seipp died in Egypt January 19. He was 22 years old. The children of Selpp's four sisters are given $500,000 and the remainder of the eatate Is divided among his hairs at law. ML Vernon.--Group No. S of the Illi nois Bankers' association will hold their annual meeting here. The coun­ ties comprising the group are Bond, Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Efflinghara, Fayette, Jefferson, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Perry, Randolph, Richland, St. Clair, Wabash, Washington, Wayne. Jerseyville.--Matthew C. Stanley, early settler of Jersey county, cele­ brated his ninetieth hirthday anniver­ sary at his home, three miles east of the city, with a dinner and family re­ union. Mr. Stanley has been a resi­ dent of Jersey county for the last 66 years and has resided on the farm. Chicago.--Six families were driven to the street by fire which attacked a three-story double apartment building at 62-64 Leland avenue. The fire started in a flat on the first floor, occu­ pied by H. B. Hallas, and threatened to spread to the other apartments. The loss was $200. Taylorville.--Charging that her hus­ band repeatedly beat, kicked and choked her and one time threatened her life with an axe, Mrs. Sadie Walker filed suit for divorce from John Walker. She seeks the custody of two daughters, four and six years old. Atlanta.--Dale McKown, 22 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Mc­ Kown, ended his life by sending a bul­ let through his brain. He left a note saying ill health prompted the act. He was a student at Brown's Business col­ lege in Bloomington. Canton.--On the day his wife filed a suit for separate maintenance and be­ gan criminal prosecution, naming an­ other woman, Elmer Sutton, a farmer *o years old, shot himself at his home. His body was found in the house by a neighbor. Sterling.--A boy baby, probably two weeks old, was found hanging from the girders of a railroad bridge a few miles west of this city. It was stran­ gled to death and was wrapped in sev­ eral Chicago newspapers. Jacksonville.--Ira Held, a young man employed at a railroad camp near Concord, waa arrested because he cor­ responds with the description of the murderer of Reuben File of Bond county. i Sterling.--Jonae Klinger's family celebrated six birthdays. The father is 67, the son Jonas is 40, Jennie and Susan, twins, are 28, and Clayton and Robert, twins, are 22. All were born on the same day of the month. Chicago.--Judge Fry fined David Plinder, 9 California avenue, $25 and costs for selling butter that fell short of weight. Henry Struss, 5652 State street, paid the same amount for giv­ ing short weight on sugar. Danville.--Mistaking his wife for a burglar, D. W. Asher, a Danville gro­ cer, shot the woman. Asher had been ill for some time with nervous trouble. Chicago.--Fidelia Love Woodcock, now of New York, gave testimony be­ fore Judge Blake in her suit for $60,- 000 against Arthur O. Simpson on charges of breach of promise and con­ spiracy to defraud. She alleges that Simpson defrauded her out of more than $4,000, which she received as ali­ mony from her former husband, Dr. William L. Guild. Aurora.--George J. Scharschug, a young real-estate man, has enteied the fight for the Republican nomina­ tion for mayor, which will be decided at the primaries March 9. He is op- posed by Char lea 3. Brattle*, a broker. WESTERN Cmen SPLEM CROP YIELD FOR 1908. AMERICANS PROFITED LARGELY -- AN0 SEND BACK SATI8FA©. i TORY REPORTS. \ l'-' The census branch ot the Depart- fet' ment of Agriculture, Ottawa, Canada, •vfjr h a s c o m p l e t e d i t s r e t u r n s o f t h e s h o w - ; ̂ i ing of Western Canada's grain yield l , i cf1: for 1908, and the reports make very < interesting residing. In the three prov- jVti laces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and f ^ * Alberta, which comprise what may lie JiH known aa Central Canada, there was a „ .* ^ total wheat yield of about 107,000,000; ; - bushels, worth to the farmer about * $85,000,000; in addition to this the oat,J f : barley and flax crops were worth an- ' other $35,000,000. Letters have been received from many of the settlers • % from the United States^ From these, ^ "1^ that of Rev. Oscar L. King has been ? \ ft t selected, lie lives In the vicinity of / M. * Edmonton, Alberta, and what he says will be of interest to those who COE- template moving to Central Canada.' W f Every line of the letter is interesting. *jS* Those who wish for the particulars aa - to how to secure homesteads and pre- emptions should write any Canadian Government agent. Mr. King says: }• "Mr. M. V. Mclmmes, Detroit Mich- .... igan: I am well satisfied with Al- berta. This country offers excellent opportunities for anyone to make a :' sif /i good home for himself and family if he is willing to put up with a few hard knocks for the first two or three years. But it is worth a few hard knocks to get a 160-acre farm of rich, productive land with no mortgage on it. This province is well fitted for grains, stock raising and dairying. We have found the climate generally healthful, more healthful than Mich­ igan, and although the thermometer sometimes drops to 40 degrees below aero in winter, yet we do not seem to feel that temperature any more than "l we did 5 or 10 degrees below zero In 5 j Michigan. We like the winters. . ... v1 "The Government takes great inter- - % est in the education of the people and ' quickly aids the settlers in establish- / r|M ing schools where they are called for. % | The schools, though graded differently ' than those in the States, are efficient ' and advancing. Our great drawback has been the limited and inadequate . .if railway facilities, but nfew roads are being rapidly built and many mora are projected through various parts of the province. The new policy of the Alberta government to construct • a great many branch lines throughout '"-5 : the province will greatly help all parts * li of the country. If those new settlers . ^ • who have to go back a considerable f; distance from existing railroads and towns to find free homesteads will . " but locate along the line of a project- ed railroad they will in two or three r $ ' years be near both town and railroad. k : When I first came to this country three and a half years ago the home- ' * * ^ stead I took was 75 mileB from a rail- * road town; now there is a railroad 25 miles north, another 25 miles south. ' and a third is being built through my , neighborhood. 1 "I think the prairie country or coun­ try that is partly prairie offers much better opportunities than the hilly portions." CLASS THAT HUBBY WAS Ht^ Possibly Wife Did,Not Mean It Juat *J| That Way, But Thar* It Waa. ^ A husband and wife ran a freak -j show in a certain provincial iowu, but Unfortunately they quarreled, and the exhibits were equally divided between • VI them. The wife decided to continue business as an exhibitor at the old ad- dress, but the husband went on tour. After some years* wandering the , ^ prodigal returned, and a reconciliation " ' took place, as the result of which they ' ' became business partners once more. A few mornings afterward the people of the neighborhood were seat Into fits of laughter on reading the follow­ ing notice in the papers: "By the return of my husband, my stock of freaks has been permanently Increased." v ' I ROUGH STUFFING The Tiger--It was bad enough to be cat off in my prime, but to be stuffed by an amateur taxidermist te nally too hard to bear! A Cure For Colds and GrTp. There is inconvenience, suffering and danger in ft cold, and the wonder is that people will take so few precautions against colas. One or two Lane s Pleasant Tablets (be sure of the name) taken when the first snuffly feeling appears, will stop the prog­ ress of a cold ana save a great deal of un­ necessary suffering. Druggists and dealers generally sell these tablets, price 25 cents. If you cannot get them seno to Orator #. Woodward, Le Roy, N. Y. Sample free. A Billionaire'* Motto. "Forgive and forget la my •aid Mr. Dustin Stax. "But you don't forgive your 11608 rivals." "No. We expect the public to the forgiving and well do the ting." Red. Weak. Weary, Watery Ky«a Relieved by Murine Eye Remedy. Com­ pounded by Experienced Physicians. Mu­ rine Doesn't Smart: Soothes Eye Pals. Write Murine Eye Remedy Co.. Chicago, for Illustrated Bye Book. At Druggist*. If one-half the world doesn't know how the other half lives, it ought to be informed that the process is ..^ simple one of not paying ita bil'a, ^ . There la no earthly hope for* young man who sits around and watta for aih engraved invitation to fcias ft pretty girl. ONLY ON® "BKOMO QriXlKK-* Th»t Is LAXATIVB BHOVO yCLNlNI ~ signature of IE. W. «H«.'VK. oT«r to Cure a Gold in UM Uif. Vi Even in fishing for husbands It la generally the big ones that get away. Lewis' Single Binder straight Se esprit eood quality all the time, lost MaSt at Lewis Factory, Peoria, BL. Faith ia obedfnoa. --Hacdonald. JHi ' • s -v ,, V ^ ' 1 . - i" vv . »•?&*« *.v. ' asre-i-