Democratic Press, Volume 1, Number 23, Decatur, Adams County, 21 March 1895 — Page 3

THE MARSDEN TWINS. A Story Written for This Paper by Edward S. Van Zile. [COPT BIGHT.]

CHAPTER ll.—Continued. Jack Dalton found himself in an uncomfortable position He was a proud man, and when had discovered that he had fallen in love with a wealthy woman he had determined to keep away from the object of his misplaced affection. He and his brother had inherited an Income of about $4.000 a year apiece—enough for the wants ot a bachelor, but a very slender foundation upon which to base matrimonial expenses. Love in these unromantic days is obliged to conform itself to the exigencies begotten by butche grocers, gas companies, and servants. Jack Dalton was wise enough to realize that he would be called a fortunehunter if he should ask Vera Marsden for her hand. Thus it was that he felt Inclined to reject his brother’s suggestion and place his pride in no further Jeopardy. But Ned looked so disconsolate, the office seemed so gloomy, a certain face, dear to his memory, smiled so sweetly—in short, he fell, as has many a proud man before Jack Dalton’s time, and allowed sentiment to gain a victory over judgment. “We'll step at the University Club a moment," remarked the younger man. after they had deserted the office. “1 left my cane there last night and want to get it” “Hello, Jack* Hello, Ned!” cried a young man. as they entered the club. “Have you heard the news about the Marsden girl?" “No,” answered Jack, rather haughtily. “What is it?” cried Ned. impetuously. “They have lost all their money.” “No!" “Yes,” added another excited youth, who had joined the group. “Two millions all gone in a speculation. Reckless trustee, you know; sudden slump In securities and all that. Tough, isn’t it?” They Daltons left the club hurriedly. They looked more cheerful than when they had entered it, but there was an expression of perplexity in Jack’s eyes. “Shall we go and show them we are sympathetical, Jack?" “They'd consider you pathetically simple if you did. Don’t be a chump. Keep quiet a moment I want to think." They walked up the avenue at a rapid gait. Ned remaining snubbed and silent. “We can’t do it, old man,” remarked Jack, after a time. “At first I thought the loss of their money put a better phase on the ease; but it doesn’t We can't ask girls who have been used to luxury to share our poverty. From i sentimental standpoint we are in p better position than we were before but practically our situation is even worse than it was. I wish my play might make a hit.” He had been talking to himself, unmindful that Ned was listening so him closely. “What play?” asked the younger man. sharply. Jack turned red, shimmered, frowned, then laughed outright “I’ll read It to you to-morrow, old man. I didn’t mean to let you know about it. "Never mind, Jack; I’ll forgive you. The fact ia, I’ve been writing a novel myself this year. We’li hold an inquest at the office in the morning, and pass judgment on each other's work. By Jove, old fellow, it would be queer if our lack of clients had really stood us in good stead.” Then they returned to the club and ate a rather hearty dinner, considering the fact that they were both deep in love and too poor to marry. CHAPTER HI.—FOUR SCOUNDRELS. A few evenings after the events recorded in the last chapter Harry Ashton and Clarence Vane met at the St. Nicholas Glub and bored each other for half an hour after dinner. “I understand you are among those who escaped,” remarked Ashton, a pale, blase man, younger than he looked. “Yes," returned Vane, a strikingly handsome blonde, and one of the bestdressed men in the city.“und you also a.,- to be congratulated, are you not?” "Yes —I believe I did lose my head one evening and propose to Vera. But how did they manage to drop everything at once? 1 don't quite understand it.” “Neither do I. But they are said to be penniless. Their aunt has bought their house and will let them have a little pocket money now and then.” “It's really tough. Nice giris—and not at ail bad looking. As Vane had heard Ashton pronounce the Marsdens, in their days of wealth the handsomest women New York had ever seen, this faint praise amused him. Gold adds vastly to a woman’s beauty in the eyes of some men. “What shall we do to-night?" asked Vane, sipping a liqueur. “I don’t care. I'm tired of dancing and talking nonsense. I haven’t been to the theater these many moons. Let's go to something lively." “I'm with you. What shall it be?” “What's running at the Casino?” “Don’t know. Music and chorus girls, as usual, I suppose. We’ll go and see.” A few moments later they were seated in a box, surrounded by modish decorations and listening to modern music. Ev°n the ennuled Ashton felt a conservative thrill of pleasure at

the harmonic and artistic entertain ment furnished by the crowded stage. He almost determined to make the acquaintance of the prima donna, whose figure pleased his jailed eye. As they sat silently overlooking the audience at the end of the first act, a conversation going on in the next l>ox attracted Vane's attention. "I tell you 1 know all about it," said a deep, firm voice. "They have not lost a cent. It's all a bluff. My mother knows their auut very well, and I have learned the details of the whole scheme. The girls got tired of being proposed to i by Tom. Dick and Harry and decided to test the sincerity of their suitors. See ?” “Zat is a vare pretty plot," commented a voice which sounded to Vane like Count Kovinsky. “Yes,” continued the other, “and it has worked to perfection, for nobody has been near the girls fol several days. Now, they have sworn to accept the first men who propose to them in their alleged poverty. I tell you this out of pure friendship. You can have one of them; I’ll take the other. I don't care which of them you choose. They are worth about one million apiece and are equally good looking. I'd advise you to go to them early to morrow. Our disinterested loyalty to them in their hour of affliction will be fully rewarded. Comprenez?" "Fully. Ze outlook ees delightful. I will take zee fair Vera, who refused me zee ozzer night Ees zat satisfactoire to you, Monsieur Weldon?" “Perfectly.” Here the orchestra drowned the conversation and Vane settled back in his chair with a sarcastic smile on his handsome face. During the next half hour he related the scheme he had overheard to Ashton. “What shall we do about It?" asked Vane. Go to them al once and renew our suit.” "Agreed.” They hurried from the house, entered a cab and reached the Marsden mansion in a few moments. “The ladles are out. Your cards, please.” The young men rushed down the steps without handing their cards to the servant. They were perplexed and annoyed. They knew that Weldon and Kovinsky were among the most unscrupulous Mien in the city and would take the very earliest advantage on the morrow of the knowledge they possessed. "The situation Is just this,” said Vane as they re-entered their cab. “If all four of us go to the Marsden's to-morrow they will susjiect that their iheme lias leaked out. Four of us are in possession of the secret To make it available only two can make use of it. Suppose we run an equal chance in the matter and place the issue on cards or dice. We’ll Join Weldon and Kovinsky; tell them we know about their plot, and offer them a fair shake for the stakes. What say you?" "I see nothing else to do,” answered Ashton after a short pause. “Go back to the Casino, driver.” They found Weldon and Kovinsky smoking cigarettes in the foyer. “A word with you. Weldon,” said Vane. Ashton engaged the Count in conversation. “Look here, Weldon. The Marsden girls have not lost their money." “No?” Weldon, a middle-aged man with gray hair and black mustache, knocked the ashes off his cigarette calmly. He had lost color for an instant, however. “No. They simply wish to pick the sheep from the goats. I see you are not surprised. Now there are only four men in the world who know this —Ashton, Kovinsky. yourself and myself.” “Indeed? And what are you driving at, Vane?” “Just this. Two of us.unembarrassed by rivals would be certain of winning the heiresses. There would be no chance for any one of the four if we all sailed in. Now, Ashton and I propose that we toss up for the chance. See? It’s the fairest way, and the two who lose can comfort themselves with the thought that they had justice K not luck.” Weldon's brow was black with discontent, but he was wise enough to see that a show of auger would do him no good. He had been caught in a trap and was obliged to acept Vane.terms. “Very well,” he replied, “let it lx* as you suggest. Kovinsky.” He explained the situation to his fellow conspirator, whose sharp sallow face took on an expression of disgust as he heard how his certainty of winning a wealthy woman had been changed to a possibility. “Where shall we go?” asked Weldon as the quartette sauntered forth. “Come to my rooms.” suggested Kovinsky. “I have zee dice." The Count lived at a hotel in the neighborhood, and they were soon seated at a table in his parlor. A quart of champagne was at once ordered to be paid for by the winners in the approaching throw for life partners. They presented an iuteresting group as they sat there. The pale face of Ashton, the handsome countenance of Vane, the Mephistophelean features of Weldon, ami the bilious front of Kovinsky all bore the same expression,the expectancy of gamblers who play for high stakes.

At that time metropolitan clubdom had gone wild over a new game of dice. It consisted in three throws of three pieces, the effort of the player being to score, if possible, the number 666. On his first throw he could place one. two qy three dice in any position that he chose. If he left one piece on the table it must represent units, tens or hundreds. He then threw again and placed the two remaining dice In the most desirable juxtaposition. It only one of them bore on its face a high figure, he threw a third time with one piece in the hope of turning up a six. It was on this game that the adventurers in Count Kovinsky's room decided to risk the happiness of the Marsden twins. The champagne had come, and after they had drunk. Vane took the dice box and opened the game. On his first throw he turned up a five, a four and a two. He placed the five in the place of units and put the remaining dice in the shaker. Throwing again, he obtained a six and a two. He put the six s]>ot In the place of hundreds and threw for the last time. The result was a four spot, making his score 645. “Zat is a vare good record," remarked Kovinsky, draining his glass nervously. Vane calmly lighted a cigarette and handed the dice-box to Weldon. Weldon was agitated. He was an older man than his companions and, in a general way, more of a scoundrel, but he had not gained full control of liis temper since his conversation with Vane ami his lips trembled perceptibly as be shook up the ivory cubes. His first throw resulted in nothing more encouraging than a one-spot, a deuce and a trey. "Damn 'em,” he exclaimed, rattling the dice angrily. He threw three of them again and was rewarded with three fives. He left two fives on the table and on his third throw turned up a six. His score stood 655. “Zee outlook is vare discouraging,” remarked Kovinsky, as he took the dice-box from Weldon, upon whose face a triumphant smile had played for a moment "Monsieur Ashton and myself stand vare leetle show for zee fair Marsdens.” The Count's first two throws left him with fifty-five on the table. He had a chance to tie Weldon, but fortune did not favor him and he sank back in his chair with an expression of annoyance on his face. “Confound zee dice,” he exclaimed, pouring out a glass of champagne from the cooler at the side of his chair. “Zee Marsdens will nevare know bow much zay lost by my last throw.” Even at that solemn moment his remark caused a general laugh, and Ashton took the shaker in a confident way. His first throw gave him a six,a three and a two. He placed the six-spot in the place of hundreds and threw again, obtaining a four and an ace. He hesitated a long time. Should he put the four-spot in the place of units or tens? Finally he chose to leave it in the column of tens; and, throwing again turned up a five. He and Vane were tied. The score stood as follows: Vane,64s; Weldon, 655; Kovinsky, 355; Ashton, 645. “I’m out of eet,” cried the Count, who began to show the influence of excitement and champagne. “We'U have to throw off, Vane,” remarked Ashton. "But bear in mind, gentlemen,” said Weldon,sternly,“that your settlement of the tie dot's not affect my score.” "We understand that,” answered Vane, sullenly. He was not pleased at Weldon's victory. Vane shook the dice again, and on his first throw obtained two sixes, which, of course, he placed as hundreds and tens. On his second cast he threw a deuce, making bis score 662. “That’s hard to beat, old man,” remarked Ashton, taking the box. A trey, an ace and a four-spot resulted from his first effort. “I'm beaten anyway,” he exclaimed, leaving the four-spot in the place of units. Then he threw an ace and a sixspot “Zat looks bettare,”murmured Kovinsky. “One more six will feex Monsieur Vane.” As he spoke the six-spot turned up, and Ashton was a winner, having score 664. “1 believe that settles it, gentlemen,'' remarked Weldon. “Permit me to order some more champagne. As I understand it. Ashton and myself are to have a clear field in this affair? Am I right ?” “Zat vas See agreement, as I understand zee mattare,”answered Kovlnsky. "You are right.” said Vane, shortly. “Permit me to bill you good-night.” "But won’t you wait for another bottle?” asked Weldon, politely. "No, thanks. I must hurry off.” In another moment Vane was in the street. He was the only one of the quartette who felt that he had acted like a blackguard, and this feeling on his part was not wholly owing to the fact that the dice had played him salsa CHAPTER IV.—TWO WINNERS. “I’m sure I don’t like it,” exclaimed Marion petulantly, as she threw down a novel she had been trying in vain to read and looking at her sister crossly. “What don’t you like?”asked Vera gently. “Your book?” “No—our scheme. It was all very well to talk about separating the sheep from the goats, but—but there were no sheep.” (To be continued.) Might Make Him Crooked. “We had better watch the bookkeeper ' a little,” said the senior partner. “He has been buying a bicycle.” “But you can hardly call that an extravagance.” said the junior partner. "No. but it is likely to make him crooked.” And the Junior partner, who had entered the firm by the son-in-law route, dutifully laughed. J

OUR RURAL READERS. SOMETHING HERE THAT WILL INTEREST THEM. An Apple that Commands a High Price in Home and Foreign Markets —Well-Arranged Smokehouse-Low Price of Horses. The Newtown Pippin. The apple that commands the highest price in both Lome and foreign markets is the Newtown pippin, says the Orange Judd Farmer. When Bald wins and other choice varieties sell at $3 per barrel at Liverpool, the Newtown pippin sells at $!), and the same proportion holds true in our domestic market. The fruit often retails as high as sl2 or sls per barrel. Downing, the authority on fruits, says as follows of tills variety: “It stands at the head of all apples, and is, when in perfection, acknowledged to be un■t* 4 ■ - THE NEWTOWN PIPPIN. rivaled in all the qualities which constitute a high-flavored dessert apple, to which it combines the quality ot’ long-keeping without the least shriveling, retaining its high flavor to the last.” In the early apple history of this country the Newtown pippin was prominent. It originated at Newtown, on Long Island, and its merits soon spread its cultivation. It was especially successful on the hillsides along the Hudson River, and for many years large quantities were grown there and annually shipped to Europe. Later it spread all over the country, but it found few places which were congenial. To-day it is but very little grown outside of the mountainous regions of West Virginia, where it is famous today as the Albemarle pippin. Scab and insects, coupled with the general decline of orchards by reason of want of proper care, fertilizing, etc., have practically driven it out of cultivation. There is probably no one apple which is more largely modified by its environment—by varying soils and climates. At the Columbian Exposition in Chicago In 1893, New South Wales exhibited some very fine apples under the name of Five-Crowned pippin. Fruit experts were puzzled by it at first, but after a careful study became pretty well convinced that this, too, was our old friend the Newtown pippin, modified by the soil of Australia and the breezes of the Pacific. In West Virginia it was formerly supposed that the Albemarle was a distinct variety, but the consensus of opinion among horticulturists now is that it is only the Newtown pippin. In Rockland County, New York, the same apple is grown, and is there generally called the winter pippin. Yellow Italians Are Vicious. There seems to be a sort of impression among the farmers in our own vicinity that extra yellow bees must be extra pure Italians. Judging by tlie way the orders have run for the yellow stock the impression must be general, but every practical queenbreeder knows that It is a mistake. The five-banders are simply sports, selected for color from Italian stock, that is all; and by tlie way some of them sting it would almost seem as if they had “sported” a little from Cyprian stock. We have quite a large number of colonies of extra yellow bees in our yard, and our apiary has never had crosser bees or bees more inclined u> rob than this year. They bred like Cyprians and then stopped long before the ordinary Italians, We shall get them all out of our yard another season unless their temper and robbing iropensities improve.—Ohio Farmer. Improving the Saw. Most saws are like pattern. Fig. 1. The rakes at the ends of the saw being double, much labor is lost by the inner FIG 1. OI,» STYLE. No. 2. iMPBOVEP. part of the rakes moving the dust part way through the log at the latter part of the stroke, where it has to be removed again at the next stroke of the saw. More efficient labor may be performed by using a style like Fig. 2. The central rakes being double, will fully remove the dust at each stroke from the log. The outside rakes being single, do not move the dust in heaps to the center of the log to clog the saw. but do the work effectually at the next stroke. Teeth of the style in Fig. 2 are much easier to keep in order as there are no square corners to wear out the file. Fig. 1 may bo changed to style of Fig. 2 by cutting or tiling off the inside bit of the rakes one-third in lumber at each end of the same. Sow Plaster Early. Land plaster ought to be sown for clover as soon as the clover seed is sown, or at least before tlie spring rains are past. It needs to be dissolved and be thus carried into the soil. There is not much doubt now among scientists that it aids the clover plant to use atmospheric nitrogen, and as this takes place in the soil by means of nodules on the roots of clover the necessity for sowing clover seed early

jls apparent Old farmers bare often told us that if plaster was not sown on elover until after spring rains, it did little good the first year, but was beneficial after another winter and spring had past'd, and had settled the plaster into the soil. There Is. perhaps, I a slight benefit from sowing plaster on ' clover when in full leaf, but it should 1 be additional to an application made early in the spring, when it will do most good. Murketing Turnip. If farmers have patience to do some | peddling, they can find a market for either white or yellow turnips in al- ' most every city or village family. It is best in selling turnips to have some of each, the white or purple strapleafed for early use and tlie yellow varieties for later in the winter. A large wagon load is easily disposed of nt 30 cents per bushel, and If each family takes only a bushel of each variety it does not require a long drive to dispose of the whole. The profit of an acre of turnips sold thus is much moristhan farmers get for most crops, and the work of marketing is fairly well paid, considering that it is mostly done when men and teams would otherwise be Idle. Horses Dirt Cheap in the West. Good horses are cheaper in some parts of the West now Uian dogs are in the East, for there are few dogs not owned by some one while the horses cannot be given away. All over the West horse have been astoundingly cheap for some time, and $2 or $3 has been a good price for a good animal. A hundred head of ranch horses — sturdy, unbroken bronchos from Wyoming—were sold in Denver for $9<J and the freight recently. It is reported that a big stock firm in Idaho has turned more than 250 ponies adrift to shift for themselves during the winter, as it was cheaper to do this than provide food for them. The firm could not get even a dollar apiece for them. A Well-Arranged Smokehouse, To make a smokehouse fireproof as far as the stove ashes are concerned is not necessarily an expensive job. All that is required is to lay up a row of brick across one end. also two or three feet back upon each side, connecting the sides with a row across the building, making it at least two feet high. As those who have a smokehouse use il nearly every year, that part can also be made safe from fire by the little arch built at the point shown in the illustration. The whole is laid up in a mortar, and to add strength to the structure an iron roil or bar may bo placed across the center ! || | ■■ FIKEPKOOF SMOKEHOUSE. of the bin and firmly imbedded in the mortar two or three rows of brick from the top. Os course the rear of the arch is also bricked up. In most eases less than 250 brick will be all that is required.—American Agriculturist. Cultivated Dandelions. How many of those who in spring go to the fields and slowly dig out among grass and stones a mess of dandelion greens know that this crop is more satisfactorily grown in the garden? The improved cultivated dandelion is much larger, is more easily cleaned and free from insects than that gathered in the fields. It is safe to say that whoever procures and sows a package of the improved dandelion seed in his garden will never be willing thereafter to de pend upon the uncultivated supply that can be got from the pasture lots. A Russian Cherry, Prof. Hansen, of lowa, who has been traveling in Russia, writes that he finds on the Moscow markets great quantities of the Vladimir cherries. The trees may be called large bushes as grown there. Often they are grown with several stems like a bush. These bush-cherry orchards are a source of great profit. Agricultural Notes. Seed cannot germinate between clods; light must be excluded, and fine soil must be close about the seed from the beginning. Raising peanuts, says a Texas correspondent, ts a source of small revenue for any one who loves garden work. They are as easy to raise as corn or potatoes, and will bring from $1 to $1.50 per bushel. Farmers should not depend on seedsmen for producing new varieties but should experiment themselves. Some of the best varieties of fruit were originated by farmers. The proper mode of keeping rabbits from trees is to wrap a piece of screen wire around each tree. This will cost but a small sum per tree and will save a great deal of vexation and annoy auce. There is better health among roving fowls because they get the food which is best for digestion, and get the necessary grit to help the gizzard do its work. We should make this a study and profit by it Agricultural subjects are lectured upon in some of the English schools, and tire result has been very satisfactory. Children are taught to read and learn of many matters connected with farming that are different from the practical teachings on the farm.

A Housekeeper's Tragedy. One day as I wandered I heard a com* plaining. And saw a poor woman the picture of gloom; She glared at the mud M the doorstep ('twas raining), i And this was her wail as sin* wielded the broom: “Ohl life is a toil and love is a trouble, And beauty will fade, and riches will flee, And pleasures they dwindle* and prices they double. And nothing is what I cwld wish it to be. “There’s too much werrimeid goes to a bonnet, There's too much ironing goes to a shirt. There's nothing that pays for the tims wasted on it, There's nothing that lasts but trouble and dirt. "In March it is mud, it is slosh in December, And midsummer's breezes are laden with dust. In fall the leaves litter, in muggy September The wall paper rots and the flatirons rust. “There are worms in the sherries, and slugs in the roses. And ants in the sugar, and mice in ths pies. The rubbish of spiders no mortal supposes, And ravaging roaches and damaging flics. “It is sweeping at six, and it’s dusting at seven, It is victuals at eight nnd dishes at nine, It is [Kitting and panning from ten to eleven— We scarcely break our fast till we plan how to dine. "With grease and with litter from outside to center. Forever at war and forever alert. No rest for a day lest the enemy enter, I spend my whole time in a struggle with dirt. “Last night in my dreams I was stationed forever On a bare little isle in the midst of the sea; Mjr one chance of life was a ceaseless endeavor To sweep off the waves ore they swep, over me. “Alas! 'twas no dream; again I behold it— I yield. I am helpless iny fate to avert.” She rolled down her sleeves, her apron sho folded. Then lay down and died, and was buried in dirt. —Farm and Home. Medicinal Usee of Honey. A teaspoonfiij of warm honey taken every fifteen minutes has a surprising effect on catarrh. Sore throat in the early stages can bo cured by honey taken warm. Public speakers should freely use liouey. The formic aeid which it contains cures affections of the mouth, throat, lungs and chest. A teaspoonful of honey stirred into a raw egg is a good corrective for a cough, and should be continued for several mornings. Coughing may bo quickly relieved by mixing barley water with honey and the juice of lemons, and drinking it warm. A gargle made of sage tea, sweetened with honey, or pills made of mustard, flour and honey, will be found very efficacious for croup and hoarseness. This is an excellent remedy in lung trouble: Make a strong decoction of horehound herb, and sweeten with honey. Take a tablespoouful five times a day. Cause of Waste. One of the chief causes of waste of food is the system of both public and private tables of giving excessive largo portions, so that much food is left unlasted. Probably la many private families a third or fourth of the whole amount spent for food is thus thrown away. This waste on the part of the well-to-do also affects the less fortunate households, and thrift becomes a lost art The fashion which demands that some food be left upon the plate is worse than folly. Furthermore, an error Is made in providing too great a variety of food for a single meal. When a long list of courses is offered, no one can be fully enjoyed. The Housewife’s Measures. Two cups of granulated sugar, one pound. Two cups and a half of powdered sugar, one pound. One heaping quart of sifted Hour, ouo pound. Three cups of cornmeal, one pound. One cup of butter, hail pound. Butter size of an egg. two ounces. Two gills of liquid, half pint, one cup* One kitchen cup, half pint. Four teaspoonfule liquid, one tablespoonful. Meat Pie. Small bits left of stewed or roasted meat, can be freed from fat and gristle, chopped tine and seasoned with a little salt if too fresh. Add bits of butter and enough stock to moisten, put in a greased pudding dish; put a crust over it made from a little flour; sift in half a teaspoonful of baking powder, mix in a tablespoouful of cold butter and sweet milk enough to make a soft dough; roll thin and cover the meat, bake half an hour and serve warm. The devil likes to see the man Join tlie church who expects to do all tho work with his mouth.