Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1891 — Page 3

ROYAL RANGER RALPH; The Waif of the Western Prairies.

BY WELDON J. COBB.

CHAPTER I. THE TBAIN-WRECKERS. *Plrer •“Wto is it?” *A spy—ono of the vigilantes. Down Uin, or the game is lost!” These ejaculations, spoken sapidly and excitedly, broke the silence of a weird and tragic scene in one of the loveliest valleys of the far West They were directed toward a man Who had suddenly appeared upon a landscape which for over an hour had held half a dozen human figures, who had been lurking in the vicinity of a lonely stretch of railroad. The time was night, relieved by the refulgence of a September moon, its rays just beginning to illumine mountain and valley with a rare crystalline beauty. Half a mile distant, where the river stretched a dim silver thread of radiance, a lonely station showed, from which glimmered the light of a single lantern. At the spot where the story opens, the Single railway track curved over a high trestle work and then descended on a Sharp grade toward.the station and the stream. For years this section, especially the course pursued by the railroad, which was a recently constructed branch of the great Pacific system, had been known as , the Lone Canyon trail. The station was ■Called Ten-spot, and the nearest settlement was twenty miles over the mountain at Miner's Gulch. Beyond that stretched an alternation of plain and hill and valley, infested ■even at the time of our narrative by marauding bands of savages. The region was one in which a rough, uncultured set of miners and rangers resided, and outlaw bands found it a favorite field for their operations. A* has been stated, one hour previous to the utterance of the words that begin this chapter half a dozen men rode up ■to the scene, dismounted silently, led their horses to a thicket near by, and then became massed together near the railroad. Here for some moments they were en- ; gaged in some mysterious movements about the rails. One of their number went down the tracks to the station, returned, muttered an ominous “All ylght,” and then their dusky figures moved hither and thither. Not an audible word was spoken until a tall, fullbearded man, evidently the leader of the party, startled his companions with the exclamation: “Get, to coverl Someone is coming!” Someone was coming straight down the tracks —a man past middle age, stalwart, rugged, and attired in the garb of a frontiersman. His gait was a careless and leisurely one, as if he had got tired of waiting for the train at the depot and was strolling about to kill time until it arrived. All unaware of the perilous ambuscade that lay in waft for him, he was not conscious of the presence of a foe until he turned a curve in the rails and fell back with a startled cry: “What’s this! An obstruction on the road! They’re at it again! Redskins or outlaws; there’s danger afloat for the night train, sure. ” He turned to hasten back to the station. At that moment six dusky forms arose from the bushes that lined the aide of the tracks. , «pire!” “Who is he?” “A spy—one of tho vigilantes! Down him, or the game is lost ” There was a blinding blaze of light, and six revolvers flashed in the moonlight “Missed him —after him! He must not escape and give the alarm!” cried the leader of the coterie. The stranger had indeed been missed. He must have been magically alert, for as the bullets whistled past him he dropped to the ground and they flew over his head. “You scoundrels! Come on, whoever you are!" His voice, e’ear and stentorian, rang out like an indignant roar of defiance and courage. He had again sprung to his feet and had drawn his own revolver. At that moment his enemies made a united rush for the spot where he was. He was forced to retreat a step or two. A creeping vine entangled his foot, and he fell violently backward. “Take that!” The words were spoken by. the leader, as he reached the prostrate man. “Despard—outlaw and renegade! I know you. Coward! villain! If I was at fair odds with you ” The words were silenced suddenly. The leader of the band—the man he had called Despard—had raised a curved Iron bar he hold in his hand. It deicended wiih terrific force, cutting a cruel gash in-the forehead of the courageous stranger, stunning him to insensibility. Despard’s eyes wore a haunted, frightened expression, and his face was deathly pale as he surveyed his unconscious foe. “You’ve settled him, Despard, ” spoke one of the men as he crowded to his side. “What does it mean?” Despard spoke in an awed tone. “What mean?” “That man.” “You know him. ” “Know him! Look again, Jim Danton. Ah! I thought you would recognize him.” Despard’s companion peered close at the face of the prostrate man. “Ranger Ralph!” he gasped out. “Yes. Do you remember when last we saw him, and we left him to die a prisoner in a cave in the Utah hills? He had crossed our trail, determined to bring us to justice for a stage robbery. He swore then that he would be avenged. He escaped. What can his presence here mean but disaster to our plans? His object is the same as our own—to meet the girl who stands between me and a royal fortune. It is an ill omen, Danton. I fdar, I tremble. ” “For a dead man!” scoffed Danton, Jeeringly; “for he is certainly dead this time.” “He may have friends near at hand.” “We can soon find that out. But no, no; he would not walk to his fate that way if he knew we were here or suspected our plans.” Danton turned from the spot “Vance,” he called, to one of the men. “What is it?” asked the person addressed. “You visited the station?” “Yes.” "There was no one there?” “No one but the agent.” “You are sure?" “Positive ” “Go there again and roconnoiter. If f there are anr others arrived since we came, return and report at once. ” “All right” , Danton returned to the leader's side, who bad walked away from the place where Ranger Ralph lay. . “Everything for the wreck,

(Captain,” he said to Despard. “As to yonder enemy—ranger, dective and vigilante—the blow with the iron bar has settled him. You are sure the girl will be on the tra n. ” “Inez?” “Yes.” “Of course she will I received positive information. Remember, Danton, that she is of more value to us than the booty. ” “That's all right. You and I will look out for the girl, and the others for the booty. But if she should be killed?” “Then I benefit just so much, that’s all," replied Despard, coolly. “What makes me uneasy is Ranger Ralph’s appearance uere. ” “Why so?" "Because he was one of her dead father’s companions. ” “Well?” “Inez’s father was one of his old-time friends. He probably warned hlii of his renegade relative. * “Yourself?” “Exactly. If so, even if the girl were dead, my claim might be disputed, or my past record would prevent my appearing to secure the fortune. No, Danton, the only way is to get possession of the girl; and I love her just enough to want to marry her. Your men insisted on a wreck to secure what booty the train had. I take the chances of the accident killing the girl. At all events, she must be secured by us, or her death assured before the night is over. ” “You are a relative of Robert Tracey, her father?” “A distant one—but tho only one after her.” “And the fortune?” “Is a mystery, in a way, and was left by Tracey in possession of an old recluse known as Hermit Ren. The story is too complicated a one to relate now. Remember, the girl is our especial care; when the disaster comes, search for her.” “All right, Despard. Let us get with the boys. The train will be due now in a short time. ” The' two men moved some distance away, to where an obstruction consisting of logs, rocks and iron bad been piled on the track. At that moment the man Vance, whom Danton had sent to the depot, returned. “Well?” asked the latter. “No ono there but the depot agent. ” “And the man we had to setile yonder?” “I guess he had just arrived, for two horses were standing outside the station. I cut them loose for fear of accidents. ” “Two!” whispered Despard, in an intense tone to Danton. “Do you hear?” “Yes. ” “Ranger Ralph expected someone on the train. ” “Evidently. ” “And that one was the girl who is the object of all our plots—lnez Tracey.” CHAPTER IE TOO LATE. “The scoundrels! Dyke Despard, my score against you—deeper than ever, for this cowardly act—will be a terrible one when your day of reckoning comes!” The words emanated in a pained, gasping tone of voice from the spot where a few minutes previous they had, to all seeming, viewed the dead form of Ranger Ralph, the border scout and detective. Ranger Ralph himself spoke, but his haggard face and pain-stricken eyes told that the blow Despard had dealt him was a terrible one in its effects. Under it he had gone down like a shot. Utter insensibility had finally given way to dawning consciousness, but so feeble and confused tha’ he could scarcely raise himself on one arm. The blood from a ghastly wound on the head deluged his face and showed £ deep gash that would leave a scar to his dying day. His head was dizzy, his sight blinded, his strength see'med leaving him. He essayed to arise, and then, with a groan, fell back exhausted. Suddemv every nerve seemed to thrill to quickened action, and he forget his wound and his helplessness for the moment “The trai»!” he gasped, wildly. “I had forgotten it. Oh, these villains! They have piled an Sbstruction on the track. Too plainly I see Dyke Despard’s plot The girl—lnez. He knew she was coming here, and tyith his renegade associates seeks to prevent her appearing to claim the fortune her father left her. I must prevent this awful crime. I must save the life of the child of my old friend, who intrusted her to my care. What shall I do? Singlehanded, I cannot cope with these armed ruffians* There is but one man at the depot, but he may be able to telegraph for aid or stop the train. Ah, it is useless. That blow has robbed me of my strength. ” Ranger Ralph spoke these last words in a despairing tone, for a second effort to rise proved futile “I’ll crawl to the depot, b'ut I’ll outwit these scoundrels," he muttered grimly, a moment later. He was outside the range of the vision of the men grouped on the tracks twenty feet away, and besides they paid no further attention to the foe they believed to be dead Slowly, painfully, Ranger i Ralph began to creep through the under- ■ brush. It was a terrible task for his enervated frame, but he finally saw in the distance the single signal lamp of the station. . Precious moments were slipping by; ho realized this, and the thought nerved him to renewed effort Ten minutes later the single occupant of the station, a young, handsome naan of about twenty years, started from reading a paper as a suspicious sound echoed from the direction of the door. His hand sought the revolver at his belt, as he remembered the perils of the times, but dropped it to his side, and he uttered an amazed cry as his glance fell upon the strange figure that filled the doorway a moment later. “Great heavens, man!” hecried; “what does this mean?” He stood staring in blank horror at tho blood-covered form of Ranger Ralph, who had crept over the threshold. “Help me to a chair, quick!” gasped the almost exhausted scout “You are injured—you have fallen!” “No! I have been the victim of a cowardly and brutal assault” “Where—by whom?” He bad lifted tho scout to a chair and was trembling with excitement as he discerned some mastery in the manner of his visitor. The latter did not answer his question directly. Instead, his eyes, falling on a clock within a railed inclosure of the depot he asked tumultuously: “The train —when will it arrive?” “It is due in ten minutes. ” “Stop it!” “Stop it?” cried the other. “Why, man! what do you mean?” “What I say!” cried Ranger Ralph, wildly. “Don’t waste time with idle questions. A hundred lives lie on the turn of a moment of time. Telegraph ahead and have the train stopped!” “Impossible!” “Why?” “Because it has already passed the last station. ” Ranger Ralph uttered a groan of despair. “Then secure aid and hasten to the curve!” he cried. “Explain yourself. Why are you so incoherent —so excited? There is danger?” “Terrible danger." “From whom?” . “Train wreckers." #,

The young man started violently. “It cannot bo!” he cried- “ Yes, there are six of them, led by Dyke Despard, a notorious outlaw. Is there no ono near?” “No one. Rouse yourself, man. Together we may be able to dispesse these scoundrels. ” “Impossible. I could not walk a step unaided. * The other hastened to a window and looked out toward the south “The depot agent will arrive shortly," he said, in hurried, anxious tones “Are you not the agent?” asked Ranger Ralph, in some surprise. “No; I was waiting for the train here. He has a sick family at his home, five miles from here, and asked mo to take charge while he took some medicine over to them. But he said he would return before the train arrived. ” “And before then it may be too late to' stop the train. Oh, cannot something be done!” With his helpleosness, delay, and inaotlon was torture to Ranger Ralph. “A signal!” cried his companion, suddenly; “I will outwit these scoundrels. Quick, now, tell me where they Are. ” In brief but graphic language the scout imparted the desired information. The other listened with the closest attention and interest, his eyes gleaming with latent excitement and courageous determination. When the recital was concluded he sprang to the projecting window where the depot lantern was Ranger Ralph watched him cautiously as he saw him extinguish the lantern. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “Signal and stop the train. ” “How?” “With this lantern. ” “You cannot pass the wreckers. ” “I must and will. Once beyond them, I will relight the lantern, and hasten on until I»meet the train. ” “Hasten, for heaven’s sake!” cried the scont, in imploring tones. “See! the train is almost now due.” Without another word, the young man sprang through tho doorway, tho unlighted lantern in one hand, a revolver in the other. [to be continued, j

One of Herrmann’s Great Tricks.

People have repeatedly asked me which of my tricks have pleased me the most and which I take most delight in performing. Naturally the effort that brings the greatest success is regarded by a man his best. I consider the trick of restoring the shattered mirror as my most famous one. This I had the honor of performing before the Czar of Russia upon an invitation to give an exhibion at his court. It was done unexpectedly to the spectators, and was not down on the regular bill. While playing billiards with the attaches of the court after the performance, the Czar being present in the saloon, I shot a ball with all my strength against a plateglass mirror extending from floor to ceiling. It was shivered into fifty pieces. Consternation was depicted on every countenanoe; and none more plainly than my own. While the Czar courteously waived my apology, considering the destruction of the mirror as trifling, and ordered the game to proceed, I could easily see that my awkwardness made a disagreeable impression. With the Czar’s permission I examined the mirror to estimate the damage done and the possibility of repairing it. While so engaged one of the suite playfully challenged me to exercise my art and make the mirror whole again, never dreaming that his challenge was the very cue I wanted, and not considering tho acceptance of it as possible. I hesitated an instant and then ordered the mirror to be covered with a cloth, entirely concealing it from view. On the removal of the cloth, after ten minutes, the mirror wastfound without a flaw, and as perfect us oefore the damage! I will leave it to my readeuj! imagination to decide how this triok was done.

SuperstitionS Drummers.

“I have known commercial travelers," said a hotel clerk to a New York Tribune reporter, “to stay out until the early hours of Sunday morning and yet they would get up and go to churoh Sunday no matter how severe the weather was. They said they were not particularly religious, but that they made it an invariable rule to go to church on Sunday or they would have no success during the week. I remember a case of a young fellow who came in from the train late one Saturday afternoon. 4 I never had a worse week in my life,’ he said. ‘Why, I haven’t taken one decent order. And the reason is I neglected to go to churoh last Sunday as is my usual custom. lam going out to-night and may be out late, but I want to be called in time for church to-morrow forenoon.’ He did not come in until 4 o’clock in the morning, but he insisted on being called at 9 o’clock, and though it was raining pitchforks went to church after a hearty breakfast. I joked him when he returned, and declared that he had not been to church. But he told me the minister’s text and several good points of the sermon. Well, he declared that he had good luck all that week, and booked sevoral of the largest orders he had ever taken in this city.”

Rabbit’s-Foot Philosophy.

Some men are balloonists by profession; others by inflation. Debt is the devil, and independence is paradise. I would rather one woman trusted me than that I should gain many friends. Life is a chance in the lottery of death; yonr chance is sure, bnt whether it is a blank or not depends largely on yourself. When the snow fell he wished to mow my lawn; when ths sunlight made my grass grow, he was a snowshoveler by profession; by genius, he was a ti amp. The first blue-bird is the one ws notice most. The dandelions are the span gold oi spring-time. A hundred petty virtues are not worth one genuine heart-touch. Open defeat is better than underhanded victory. —Arkansan Traveler.

A Striking Simillarity.

Miss Sharpe—Your friend, Wooden, reminds me so much of the learned profession?. Bu.tfhch —Ah, but he’ll be glad to heai it; but in what way? Miss Sharpe—Why, there is so much room at the top. Thf. British Museum has secured from Thibet a copy of the Jangym, a monster cyclopedia of Thibetan Buddhism. It comprises 325 volumes, each of which is two feet long and six Inches thick. There are, it is supposed, only two othei copies of the work outside of Thibet.

IT IS RIGHT IN LINE,

IS THIS COLUMN OF FRESH INDIANA NEWS. A Large Number of Accidents—A Few Bu|. elites anil Deaths—Anil Other Important News. —The shortage of Auditor Lavelle, Washington, is said to be $15,000. —The American Wheel Works at Fort Wayne will resume work shortly. —On account of diphtheria the Noblesville schools have been closed. —J. M. Julian’s general store, at Brooklyn, Morgan County, was burglarized of SIOO worth of goods. —Said that rabbits this year are covered with a double thickness of fur. Indicates a cold, hard winter. —Thieves stole clothing, valued at $l5O, from E. Schopback’s merchant tailoring establishment, in Lebanon. —A band of village robbers plundered the store of W. C. Morgan at Tipton, carrying off S2OO worth of goods. —The public schools at Noblesville have been closed two weeks on account of an> epidemic of diphtheria there. —Ernest WMteilrouse was reported killed in Missouri two years ago- He now turns up»at Terre Haute as lively as anybody.. —A car load of cotton on an eastbound freight traini at Crawfordsville took Are from, a spark, from; the engine and was burned. —John Taylbr’s 2-vear-oldt daughter was so badly burned in the conflagration that destroyed his house, near Cblumbus, that she died. —The Howard County grand; jury has indicted the secretary of the Kokomo Driving Park for allowing gambling on the grounds. —Buildidgs tor a large carriage factor}’, of Kraus, Scott & Co;,, have been erected at Milton. The workswill start with seventy-five men,. —Joseph Brown, a colored citizen; of Elwood, while intoxicated laid his head! on the track at Muncie,. but was saved from committing suicide by a passer-by. —Martin Miller, a farmer, 50; years old, living near Rushville, fell from his hay-mow and was impaled; on'the tooth of a hay-rake. He lingered a; few days when he died. —Vincent Bohall, Franklin; was going up a stairway, carrying a sack of corn. He fell and a file which he had in his pocket penetrated his lung. Recovery not looked tor. —James Bennett fell toto- an empty fermenting tub at the Tbrre Haute distillery, a distance of thirty feet, receiving injuries which resulted in his death several hours later. —The Alexandria young lady who had her rib broken by her lover hugging her is getting along nicely. The doctor thinks she will be ready in a few days to have another rib broken. —While Frank Craig, of Darlings ton, was assisting In cutting down a tree, he was struck by the limbs of the falling tree, and his head badly fractured. He is yet alive;, but cannot recover. —Frederick Bart, 9 years old, while attempting to board a moving freight train at Noblesville, lost hishold and fell under the wheels. He had both legs crushed off near the knee, and. cannot recover. —William Donelson,. a thrifty farmer, living near Orleans, was kicked in the face by a vicious horse and had his jaw broken and all his back teeth knocked out. His chances for recovery are not the best. —Mrs. Lee Rowe,, of Muncie. used! a butcher knife on her husband during a quarrel over the- division of household goods, prior to a separation, and she was arrested, for stabbing with intent to kill. —The wife of Edward P:. Fields,, of Goshen, eloped with another married man, taking with her her two children. This winds up; a queer line of happenings in the same family. The wife of Field’s father eloped in thesame way, and the wife of his eldest son did likewise, her husband drowning himself because of grief over her departure. —Little May Cheney, of Hobart, aged only 5. years, has just secured, for an infirm father a liberal pension. The child wrote a letter to- President Harrison, asking, in her childish simplicity, that her father’s service to his country be rewarded'. The President referred the matter to the Pension Bureau, and recently a letter conveyed the joyful intelligence of her success. This is beleived to be the first case on record where the efforts of a child so young have been rewarded.* —The disputed location- of the line between the States of Indiana and Ohio is assuming shape for definite settlement. A corps of surveyors, under the direction of Mr. P. H. St. Clair, of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, hairing fixed the meridian of the monument marking the starting point of the line at the Ohio River, is at Union City for purpose of making a second observation. Masons are at work on a foundation for their appliances, and the observations will be taken as soon as fair weather will permit —William Steward was found guilty of manslaughter for killing Orrill Selig In a row at a dance in Madison last winter and sentenced to the Penitentiary for four years. The residence of John Taylor, who resides in the eastern part of Bartholomew County, was discovered on fire. All efforts to save the bailding failed and it was with great danger to the life of a laborer that a small child was saved. The flesh on the little one was badly burned before it was rescued. —A bent axle caused a wreck on the Big Four at Danville. No one hurt, but several freight cars were smashed. —Gov. Hovey has pardoned Joseph Whittaker, convicted in the Warrick Circuit Court in 1889 of manslaughter, and sent to the penitentiary for five years. Whittaker kept a saloon that was patronized by a man by the name of Garrison, who came to his place one day intoxicated and was refused a drink by Whittaker. Garrison struck Whittaker with a rock . and knocked him down, and Whittaker got up and shot Garrison. ,*

—Charles Thomstey a Martinsville boy, was kicked on the head by a colt and died. —The farmers’ Bank at Mirncie' will be changed to a national bank with SIOO,OOO capital. —Mrs. Albright, of Kuigtatstown, is 87 years old, and took her first ride on the cars last week. —lrlck Ittges. a man daft on the subject of natural gas, fell from a barn loft at Tipton and may die. —Marshal Johnson, of Clarksville, who disappeared some time ago; is said to have been located in Chicago. —Prof. A. Anderson, of Bartholomew County, fell from an apple tree-,, sustaining injuries that will provtf fatal. —Lloyd Warledge and wife were, badly hurt at Colnrabus by being thrown from the carriage during a runaway. —An orange seed haw Just been removed from the throat of Mrs. J. J. Hazelrigg, at Greensburg. Been there since last March. —Mary Macheler has been awarded $5,000 damages from Bbone County for Injuries received by falling through a bridge. -Block-coal miners met at Brazil and appointed a committee to wait on the operators and demand an advance- of 10 cents per ton. —Charles Jenkins, of Brazil, was instantly killed by a block of slate falling on him while at work in the Pratt mines near Coalbluff. —Mrs. Charles A. Miller, of Orawfordsvffle, took first premium on applique lace at the St. Louis fair. There- were 800 entries in this class. —Seth Coffman, dairyman and stockdealer residing near New Albany, who was gored by a vicious bull several weeks agoy has become violently insane. —Ralph Arnold was found dead at his home in Brownstown, with a bullet wound' in his breast. No weapon could be found and it is supposed ne was murdered. —Edward Connor, Jeffersonville, didn’t want his wife to go out calling. He took her shoes and hid them. She had him arrested and his little trick cost him sll. —George Spnnnuth has recovered $1,500: damages from the city of Noblesville; His horse became frightened by a pile of dirt in the road and ran away, injuring Spannuth. —A. banfum rooster attacked the 2-year-old child of William Leggett, at Portland, and tore the flesh from the elvMfs- face in many places before the infant’k cries brought help. —Warren Griflln and Amos Leap, Lebanon, have sued the Lebanon Natural Gas Company for $20,000 damages. They want $ Mi, 000 each for being hurt in and explosion some time ago. —Marion will soon have a bicycle factor}'. A company with $40,000 capital has been formed, with W. H. Holliday president, William Ellghner vice president,. Jl W. Miles secretary and treasurer. —lsaac Hunscom, of Ridgevillc, fell through a» cattle-guard on the Panhandle tracks breaking his leg. He dragged'himself out just in time to avoid being mangled by an approaching engine-. —William: Vogefsong, a fanner’s boy near Columbus, found a revolver lying in the road,, and while fooling with it accidently sent a bullet into his knee joint that will forever leave him with a stiff leg. —Several members of the McGuigan family, at English, are affected with a peculiar condition of the eye-sight, whereby one eye-can detect objects at a greater distance than the ordinary observer ean> with a flold-glass, while being so near-sighted In the other optic as to be unable to sec a man across the street.. —Mrs,. George- Hfllis, of Greencastle, met with a shocking accident. Her son had been gunning during the day and had' stood! his fowling-piece against the wall, barrel downward, to drain off the water. His mother tripped over the gun, causing an explosion, and the entire load lodged in the center of her foot. Amputation was rendered necessary. —The town of Parker, located in western Randolph County, on the C., 0., C. & St. L. R R., is enjoying a modest but substantial boom. The Parker Handle and Spoke Factory is being rapidly completed. A new addition has been laid out and built up. Good inducements are being held out and other manufactories will be established. The place has one excellent gas well and others will be drilled In as needed. With its railroad facilities and gas resources-Parker is one of the coming towns in the gas belt. —The 3-year-old daughter of Jennings Nailer, a farmer living two miles south of Dublin, died suddenly and mysteriously. She had been out playing, when she suddenly ran into the house and said to her mother, who was washing: “Mamma, I have a pain in my face.” She went out again, and shortly afterward the mother went out into the yard and. to her horror, found her little daughter dead, lying on the ground. No marks or symptoms arc anywhere disceenable on the body, and it is. yet a mystery as to the cause of her death.

—Joel Newsom has been postmaster at Azalia, Bartholomew County, for thirty-two years, having been appointed by Buchanan in 1859 andl serving ever since without a break.. —Addison Arnold and his wife; of Seymour, each 25 years old and recently married, have constantly disagreed. The other night, during a bitter jealous quarrel, Arnold placed the muzzle of a revolver in his month and blew the top of his head off. The wife has become insane over the tragedy. —Just north of Chesterton, Porter County, in a bank of sand-hills, facing Lake Michigan, has been discovered a rendezvous for horse-thieves and stolen property. For several months an organized gang of thieves has been operating in Porter and adjoining counties. A large number of horses have been stolen, and the officers have been baffled in their efforts to apprehend the thieves or recover the stolen property The fcnding of a secret cave in the hills, however, has proven to he a clew . that will enable the officers to capture the gang which has infested the locality.

FROM AFFLUENCE TO POVERTY

m 4 Career as the Widow of Michigan's »Boy GoTormrr." There is living in Cleveland, in seclusion and poverty, a woman who claims that in her veins runs the

blood royal of Russia, who has been the wife of an American Governor and the hostess of an American President. She isMrs. Pauline Mason; widow of Stevens Ti Mason, the “boy Governor" of Michigan-. She was born in Pennsylvania seventy

MRS. PAULINE MASON.

years ago, of Russian parents. Her grandfather, General Reauffanoff, was Commander-in-chief of the Russian army under Alexander I. For service's to the French and Russians he was- granted a large estate, which latter became a part of Holland. The father ®t Mrs, Mason, according to the' story sto# tells, was educated at Zurich auMl became an associate of Alexander 11. of Russia. While she was yet a chiM Mrs. Mason’s father was killed: in an® accident and an unole cared' for her. This uncle was a professor of mining engineering in>ai Philadelphia institution of learning and oa® of his pupils was Stevens- Masons afterward Governor of Michigan. After Mr. Mason became Governor he employed Mrs. Mason’s uncle to study the mineral deposits of the Upper Peninsula of Miohigam Mrs. Mason, just graduated from ai convent, went with him and in Detroit met and married the young Governor. Mrs, Mason was well to do. until a- number of years ago she lbst all her property through the failure of hanks. She has since supported herself by the practice of medicine and is reputed to be skillful. She exhibits a letter written by Emperor Paul and two from Napoleon. She retains as heirlooms, articles from the Reauffanoff Castle and gifts from European potentates.

Warm Enough.

Generally speaking, practical Jokes are to be avoided, as they are commonly more productive of harm than of amusement. But occasionally there is one so spontaneous and appropriate as to be quite pardonable. Two young men were room-mates at Harvard, They wore not only roommates but fast friends, and shared their joys and .sorrows as well as their apartments; but neither was averse to a wholesome laugh, either at his own or the other's expease. They had two rooms—a commodious study and a small bedroom, large enough, however, for eaeh to have his own separate bed. It happened one particularly cold night last winter that boththe young mfrn had passed the evening out. About eleven o’clock the first one reached his room; he had ridden out from Boston in a slow car, and was very cold. The tire in the grate was low; nnd the bedroom, which had been left with door closed and window open, was exceedingly cold; but the student was resolved to make the best of the situation. First spreading his ulster over his bed, he went to the closet and helped himself to all the coats- ho found there; and putting these over the ulster, he crawled under the pile, and was soon as snug and comfortable as .a cat under a.stove. He had Just got well asleep when in came his chum, half-frozen. “Well," he said, “Jack's got his whole wardrobe over him. It’s a good idea; I!ll do it, myself.” But on going to the closet* he found that all his clothes had already been appropriated. He stopped amoment to think the situation over, and then exclaimed, “Well, Jack, old man, If you’re as cold as- that, I’ll see what I can do to make the night comfortable for you." 1 This he proceeded to do. First he spread several newspapers on the pile of clothes, that covered the contented sleeper; on i tdiese be laid three brge rugs that he took from the floor; over these he distributed several cushions taken from different chairs; and.over all. he placed a pair of portieres-taken. down specially for that purpose, On. top of these he folded and spread a heavy tennis net, using the cord to tie the whole huge pile in place. Then tossing his ulster over his own bed, ho got in and chuckled himself to sleep. Jack in the meantime slept on, unconscious of tlic great burden he boM{ but in the morning, when with great effort he got his- eyes open and took in the situation, ho slowly said: “Well, Fm glad' It’s only clothes; I’ve been trying all nightlong to burrow out from under the Rocky Mountains."'

She Bore Up.

A London Journal says that a stout and elderly woman was on board a train which wfts approaching the Forth bridge. Her remarks, which she bestowed; night and left upon her fellow-passengers, showed that she was unaccustomed to traveling; yet she must have been something of a philosopher La her own way. As the reader may perceive, she was a believer In what may be called specific levity. The old lady was nervous about the bridge. She had seen pictures of it, and had made np her mind that it could not be quite safe. She kept inquiring when the train would come to it. and at last was told that it was close at hand. “Well,’’’ said she, rather solemnly, “I don’t know whether we shall get over alive or not, but if we don’t it sha’n’t be my fault.” Then she settled Into,the corner ol the seat with a, determined air and a puckered-up mouth, which were only less droll than the general air of responsibility which brooded over her. During the passage of the bridge she did not speak a word, but seemed to be holding her breath. “There,” said a gentleman In a neighboring seat, “we are over it safe.” The old woman beared an explosive sigh. “Well,” she said, “if we had gone te the bottom I should have died with a clear conscience, for it wovjkln’t hare been my weight that did it, l boro ups© that I really made the train lighter than it would, have heeu without rat.* "V ,

METHODISTIC MEETING.

A CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES FROM ALL THE WORLD. Ov« Fitly Ufntons of People Represented at Washington—The Large Number of Methodist Sects In the Count. jr-Statie-tics Coiu-ernlnp Methodism. Follo-wer* of Wesley. The ecumenical conference of Methodists recently heftl In the Metropolitan M. E. Chure* at Washington was

th®greatest religious gathering the world .has ever seen. Near* fly live hundred prominent Methodist* from every part at the earth were there, .and ttteee five hundred men represented at Mat fifty millions of- believers In

BISHOP VINCENT.

the Methodist faith. The national, capital ffer once in its history found its- politician* and office seekers considerably outnumbered' by tiler Bishops, eminent divines,- and' distinguished laymen who temporarily sojourned within th» shadow of tb©

Goddess of Liberty on the dome of the ■ Capitol of the greatest republic in the world. Seventy-five Bishops from every civilized country... ap d representing one of the greatest religious denominations, were seen

together on one platform. Methodism is as broad as the world Itself. Lt is divided into a number ©t sects, all having Wesleyism in. common. They mot together 4nth Is great council to discuss questions pertaining to the spiritual, educational and temporal progress of the aJWed chueetoes and their host of flfty-millicn* ©f human beings. At the first ecumenital conference, held in London ten years ago, the delegates from the old world .outnuaa* berod those from the new. Now, however, the star of empire Is seen to be moving westward In Methodism, as In most of the other activities ©f civilization. There arc a large number of Methodist sects in this country, hut the Methodist Episcopal Church is the largest organization, as was shown by the 128 delegates it had In this conference. The Methodist Episcopal Ohuroh

METROPOLITAN M.E. CHURCH.

South hod 64 delegates; African Methodist Episcopal, 18, African Methodist Cbyrch,oft Zipn, 15; Colored Methodist, 9; United African Methodist Episcopal, 3; African Union Methodist Protestant, 3; -Methodist Protestant, 9; American Wesleyan, 0; Free Methodist, 5; Congregational Methodist, 3; Methodist Church. of Canada, 24, Primitive Methodist, 3; Independent Methodist, 2; United Brethren in Christ, 7; United Brethren in Christ (old Constitution),. 2, and British Methodist Episcopal). 3. The 200 delegates from the eld - world were divided among - the*- Wesleyan Methodist- Church, the Irish Methodist Church, the Methodist New Connexion, the Primitive Methodist Church, the Bible Christian Church, the Union Methodist Frew Church, the Free MethodlstChurdMfta Australian Methodist Church, the Indian Methodist Church, the Wesleyan Reform Union, the South African Methodist Church, and the North Indian Method Ist. Church. It Is a fact of great interest that although historians usually date the beginning of Methodism from* 1738, when John Wesley organised the “United Societies* and entered! regularly upon preaching in the open air, it was not till >79l—the yeac ®f Wesley’s death—that an exact Methodist census was completed—at Least any now considered perfectly accurate. At that timo Methodism had been established in all the British islands, In France, the United States, West Indies, Nova. Scotia and Newfoundland, and included 283 circuits, 540 traveling preachers and 134,599 members in good standings What a marvelous growth In the subsequent 100 years! The Cal vtaiatkj Mothufttets rose fro* a diversity, oft views, between Wesley and Whiteflald, and have their chief' strength In, Wales. The Protestant Methodistnbegan in opposition to,an esclheively episcopal system oft govr ernment. Other branches in. like manner were formed on varioua grounds, aadl their practical union made this an occasion of great, interest. The' Rsv. Dr. Moriey, of the. Committee'o* Met hod ht Statistics, made a report, some of the details.ofrwhifch were as follows: Ministers, 4..481; members, 915,284; adherents, 4,209,606.. Asia, ministers, 533;. members, 34,334; adherents; 114,968.. Africa, ministers, 294; members, T1*147; adherents, 283,376. Australia and Polynesia, ministers, 786; members, 1 93,140; adherents, 488,1831, Totals for Eastern section; Ministers, 6,094; members, L,113,905; adherents,s,o96,128. section; Ministers, 36,601; members, 6,380,494; adherents, 20,281,970. Grand totals; Ministers, 43,69 a; member;399;

BESHOP FOSTER.