Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1891 — Page 3

HAT’S this hurry, what’s this flurry. All throughout the house to-day? Everywhere a merry scurry. Everywhere a sound of play. Something, too, ’s the matter, matter, Out-of-doors, as well mrs. as in. For the bell goes clatter, clatter, Every minute—such a din! Everybody winking, blinking. In a queer, mysterious way; ■What on earth can they be thinking, What on earth can be to pay! Bobby peeping o’er the stairway, Bursts into a little shout; Kitty, too. is in a fair way, Where she hides, to giggie out. As the bell goes cling-a-lins-ing Every minute more and more, And swift feet go springing, springing, Through the hall-way to tho door, V ( Where a glimpse of box and packet, And a little rustle, rustle, Make such sight and sound and racket — Such a jolly bustle, bustle— That the youngsters in their places. Hiding slying out of sight. All at once show shinging faces. All at once scream with delight. Go and ask them what’s the matter— What the fun outside and in What the meaning of the clatter, What the bustle and the din. Hear them, hear them laugh and shout then. All together hear them say, “Why, what have you been* about, then. Not to know it’s Christmas Day?” •—Nora Perry, in St. Nicholas.

FILSEY

RECKON this is IUI goln ’ ter be er bustI er, ” said old Uncle r Billy Botsworth as m \ ho came into the a | family sitting-room ofthe old farm j house with a load of | wood on his shoulders. With a crash

he deposited his burden on the spacious hearth, where a huge fire was already blazing, and began to pile on tho long, dry sticks of beech and hickory until in a few moments a perfect sheet of flame was reoring up the wide-throated chimney. Grandma Botsworth, who sat in her accustomed corner by the “janvb, ” busy with her knitting, made no reply, while Uncle Billy proceeded to remove his coat, hat and boots, and, having filled and lighted his pipe, sat down to enjoy himself. Outside a furious snow storm was raging, and already the earth was heavily carpeted with white. Presently his two sons, Jacob and Milton, came in from doing up the chores, and like their father, were soon divested of caps, coats and boots, and seated before tho rousing fire talking over the events of the day. A little later Mrs. Botsworth joined thorn, and then the family circle was complete. No, not complete, either; a daughter was missing. Three years ago this Christmas eve she had gone out from the parental roof to marry the man sho loved, but whom her father had forbidden some time before to enter his doors. But Mary had gone; and she and her husband, a poor mechanic, went out West to build up for themselves a home and fortune. After they were married, a day or two before they weie to start for Dakota, Mary and her husband diove to the old home, where she got out of the buggy and started to go into the house to say good-by. £he did not ask nor expect forgiveness from her father for what she had done; but she knew her mother and her brothers still loved her, and would gladly have her come to see them. So she just had her hand on the latch, and, with tear-filled eyes, was taking in tho dear and familiar surroundings, when her father, coming round the corner of the house, saw her. “Don’t yer como in here,” he yelled, hoarsely. “Don't step your foot inside ’o that gate, Mary Ellen Botsworth. You’re no darter o’ mine. Take yer hatchet faced paint-slinger an’ git.” For a moment she stood as if stunned at his words; then, without a word, turned and went to the buggy. Her husband helped her in, and then, standing up and shaking his whip at Uncle Billy, .‘■aid: “Bill Botsworth, if you wasn’t my wife’s father, I’d thrash you till you couldn’t walk for a week. You ob e t to ms for a son-in-law only because I am poor; but I’ll see the day I can buy an’ sell you ’s If you was b ack, darn you.” Here Mary laid her hand on his arm and said, “Stop, Will; it won’t help things any to quarrel; let’s go.” It was well that Will heeded her advice. for old Uncle Billy had started for the buggy with murder in his eye; and there is no tell in;* what might have happened had not M Iton and Jacob at this juncture made their appearance and urged him to be qu'et. So Mary went from home an outcast; and, as tho buggy disappeared around the bend in the road, Milton turned to his father, and, with tears in his eyes, said, reproachfully: “Pap, you oughtenter have done it” And Mrs. Botsworth, who had come to the door just in time to take in the affair, echoed her son’s words: “No, pan, you was too hasty,” she added. “Mary Ellen was alius a mighty good girl; an’, though I’d ruther she’d not a married Will Kenney, yet I hope the Lord will prosper them both.” “You are right, mother,” said Jacob, the elder of her sons, “you are right mother. ‘Filsey’ (the .nickname the boys had bestowed upon Mary when she was a toddler) was the best girl in Indiany; kind an’ lovin’, an’ a sister worth the havin’.” As for Uncle Billy, seeing his whole family up In arms against him, he vouchsafed no reply, but turning, strode rapidly in the direction of the barn. From that time on he had never spoken his daughter’s name. And although he knew that mother and the boys got Occasional letters from her, yet he never by sign or inquiry showed that he ever thought of her, or had the slightest interest in knowing whether she was dead or alive. But on the Christmas eve that I have introduced him to your notice, he sat by the fire thinking; and his thoughts were of her. He had long ago admitted to himself that he was too hasty when he drove his only daughter away from his home; but he still remained silent At each family reunion, always held on Christmas day v he had missed her. Aad

as the coming one was to be held at his house, and his brothers and sisters, with thoir families, would be there, he, with some bitterness of feeling, was brooding over the fact that, through no fault of his, he reasoned, tho pleasures of the day would bo marred. Everybody missed Mary; the children of his nephews and nieces would ask for her and talk about her, despite the admonitions they had received to the contrary. As he was busy with his thoughts, gazing the while moodi.y into the fire, and now and then punching up the fore sticks in a spiteful sort of way, Grandma Botsworth suddenly spoke up and said: “Tomorrer’ll be another white Christmas. This makes two on ’em right hand rtinnin’. Three years ago was a mighty mild winter, aud we had a green Christmas that year. ” Here the old lady paused and heaved a sigh. No one said anything and she continued; “I recolleck now there was mote buryin's that year in the Bald Hill buryin’ groun’ than there has been since all put together.” “Yes,” assented Mrs. Botsworth, reflectively, “a green Christmas aliers makes a fat graveyard, they say, an’ I never knowed it to fail. ” “I reckon it’ll be good sleighin’ tomorrer, ” observed Uncle Billy, “an’ all the folks’ll come over in the bobs. Eh! what’s that?” Tho exclamation with which lie concluded his remark was caused by the furious bark of old “Maje,” the watchdog, the sound of voices in the front yard, and what seemed to bo the cry of a child in fear. The two boys started for the front door, while the remainder of the family sat intently listening and wondering who could be their visitors. They had not long to wait; for a minute latter ihe sitting-room door was flung open and Jacob strode in, bearing in his arms a bright and lusty 2-year-old boy. Almost snatching the wraps from about it, and holding tho little fellow up, he shouted: “Pap, look at your grandson; Filsey s come, an’ this is her boy. ” “The devil it is,” roared Uncle Billy, springing to his feet, with a face as black as a thundercloud. “Take him away; I don’t want ter see him.” “Hold on a minute," shouted a clear, strong voice in the doorway. It was the son-in-law who had spoken, and who ' stepped into the room, his figure erect and eyes blazing with anger. “Hold on a minute, I say,” he continued; “I want a word, Bill Botsworth, I can buy and sell you. I am a rich man, but you don’t have to own me fer a ion-in-law on that account. As for me, I can got along without you. But Mary hero wanted to come back and see her mother and all of you once more, and I said sho should; and, more than that, I said you should treat her and baby right, or I'd make you; and, by thunder, I’ll do It! Understand me, I ask no favors for myself; but for this poor girl here, that still loves you, but wbo wants to come home only for a little while, I will speak for, and fight for, too, if necessary.” Even while he was talking, mother and daughter were weeping in each other’s embrace, and Grandma Botsworth, rising with difficulty from her seat, laid her hand on her son’s shoulder. “William,” she said, “now’s as good a time to give in as ye’ll ever have. If Mary an’ Will can afford to fergivo you, I don’t see how you can help fergiven’ them. Come now, son, do right. ” For an instant ho stood struggling with his passion, then love conquered, extending his hand to his son-in-law, he said: “Billy, I knock under; I’ve made a mistake an’am sorry for it. Daughter, come here.” With a glad cry Mary put her arms around his neck and kissed him again and again. “There, there, child!” tho old fel'ow murmured, in a voice husky with emotion, “it’s all forgot now, an ” But he did not finish the sentence. And, while Mary was kissing grandma and all were silently crying for joy, he

began to hustle round and get on his boots to go out and “see about the horses.” But, as Will and Mary had come to the station, only two miles distant, by rail, and had there hired a man and team to bring them over, his services in this direction wore not needed. Ho did, however, build up such a fire in the old fireplace as it had not seen for many a day, and, as they all sat around it. and talked until long after the stroke of twelve, it was, indeed, to them a happy Christmas.—Arkansaw Traveler,

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE.

It Was a Sad On© and Cost a Brave Engineer His Life. We wore coining up through Missouri on the afternoon before Christmas last year. Itwas terribly cold and bitter, and the snow lay deep on the tracks. There were dozens of men on the train with Christinas bundles, dozens of women with Christmas packages, and as the afternoon waned and wo passed station after station the people dropped off one by one until only a dozen of us were left. Soon after leaving a small station we all noticed tho singu ar action of the tra'n. For a mile or two we would be hauled alonu like lightning and then the speed would slow down to fifteen miles an hour without apparent reason. One of the passengers who lived in a town fifteen or twenty miles ahead of us, and who had a dozen or more parcels piled up on the seat, soon began to fret and fume. “Isn’t be going to get us there before midnight?” he growled as the train slowed up. Then, as the speed increased until we seemed to be flying, he continued: “He’ll have us off the tra"k! That engineer is surely drunk! Some one ought to hunt up the conductor:” When we had run ten or twelve miles in the manner described the conductor came through our car on his way forward. He had an anxious look on his face, and did not stop to answer questions. Before he was out of the coach, however, there was a terrific crash, the fdrward ends of the coaches were smashed and splintered, and then we rolled down an embankment and brought up in a field. It was God’s mercy that every man and woman was not killed outright, but, Strangely enough, none of the passengers were even badly bruised. When we had extricated ourselves from the wreck we went forward to the engine. It was off the track, on its task, and under the broken wheels and twisted and bent machinery lay the engineer and fireman, both dead. Some one crept into the broken window

of the cab to shut off the steam, aud when he reappeared he had a package with the engineer’s name on it Inside was a toy horse, three or four wooden soldiers, a whLiie, and other childish playthings. He, as well as others, had someone who was eagerly expecting Santa Claus. We had run into the rear of a freight train which was taking a siding to let us pass We were just fifty seconds on her timo. As the trainmen gathered to rescue the bodies from the wreck one of them took a paper from the dead engineer’s hand. It was a telegram received at the last station and read; “Fred was burned to death this noon! Mary. ” Then we accounted for the wild running of the train—for what had before been a mystery. There was the Santa Claus gifts for the dear boy at home; there was the telegram blasting all hopes—destroying all visions of happi-ness-shattering in one moment a thousand plans for tho future. And men gathered closer and wiped away tears and whispered: “And who now can comfort the motherless widow! What a Christmas the morrow will bring'her!”

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

Mr. Breezy Gets Just the Sweetest, Nicest Present In the World.

thought of presents.

make, too. Now you are elected, I suppose you won’t grumble, as you usually do at this season of the year There isn’t any excuse for your saying that son can’t afford to give me a few dollars for presents this year. It’s high time I had a little money to commence with, too. Suppose you let me have a (heck for a hundred dollars in tho morning, and ” “A check for what?” asked Mr. Breezy, looking up suddenly. “Only a hundred dollars to start w th, ” said Mrs. Breezy, putting her thread a little through her work. “A hundred dollars to start with?" ejaculated Mr. Breezy. “Start what?” “That’s all the attention you over pay to anything I say,” said Mrs. Breezy. “I suppose you haven't heard a word I’ve been saying. Do put down that ever asting newspaper and pay a litt e attention to your wife for once in your life. I say you may give mo a check for a hundred —a hundred and fifty dollars in tho morning for Christmas”— “You just said a hundred,” said Mr. Breezy. “I knew you’d notice that,” said Mrs. Breezy. “I know I said a hundred a moment ago, but I’ve changed my mind. The fact is. I should really have two hundred dollars”— “My dear, if you keep raising the limit at this rate I sha 1 have to draw out of the game ” “I don’t understand your horrid gambling terms, and I wish you would confine yourself to respectable language,” said Mrs. Breezy, fumbling around in her work-basket for a particular shade of silk. “Two hundied and fifty dollars wou dn’t bo any too much for”— “I call,” cried Air. Breezy. “There you go again,” said Airs. Breezy. “For heaven’s sake drop on—stop that slang Y'ou know you can well afford to give mo a few hundred dollars for Christmas presents, and the man who has met with the luck you have this year in politi s should not kick—object to giving his wife a little Christmas money. You wouldn’t think anything of spending three or four hundred dollars on vile liquors and cigar 9 for your—your constituents, as you call them, but when your wife asks you for half that sum ” “Suppose we return to the original estimates and call it an even hundred?” said Mr. Breezy, pulling out h ; s checkbook. “Do you suppose I can got along with a miserable hundred dollars?” cried'Mrs. Breezy. “Why, your present alone will cost nearly that. Yes, I expected to give ybu a real handsome present this year, but if you are going to bo so stingy, of course you will have to take what I can afford to give you. Then think of tho chi’dren, and of dear mother, and of grandmamma, and my dear sister-in-law, to say nothing of brother Jack and cousin Harry and your own mother. You don’t wan tme to forget your own mother ” “You hold over me, ” said Mr. Breezy. “Scoop the pot.” and he threw down a check. “Fill her out to suit yourself. ” “Do you really mean it?” asked Mrs. Breezy. “Yes. ” “Well, you shall have just the sweetest, nicest present in the world. ” And Mrs Breezy gave her husband a tremendous kiss upon the lips, and flitted out of the room with tho check. “The first timo in this year,” gasped Mr. Breezy, as lie slowly recovered from his astonishment.

Jimmy Surprised Them.

A few years back, when the large cathedral that adorns Brisbane was in course of construction, the collector for the building fund called upon a well-known mercantile firm for a subscription, but he was politely told that he should go to the rich people, who might be in a better position to “help the work along. ” “Go to Jimmy Tyson; he has more than any of us.” (Up to that time “Jimmy’s” name was never seeh on any list for more than one pound.) “Well,” said the collector, “as Tyson is a rich man, I will go to him for a donation.” “Do,” said the head of the firm, “and whatever he gives you we will guarantee you the same amount.” The collector, a few days later, meeting Mr. Tyson, related to him what had taken place, and concluded by saying: “So, Mr. Tyson, I do not know what amount the firm is going to give until I have your name on my list.” “Well,” said Mr. Tyson, in a gruff voice, “give me yer pen and ink and I’ll give yees a hob or two.” “Jimmy” wrote out a check for five thousand pounds and gave it to the astonished collector.

Easy or Impossible.

A remark imputed to Victor Hugo in reply to a young man, who asked him if it was difficult to write poetry, is both witty and true, but it is ihoro witty than true. “My dear sir,” the poet is said to have replied, “it is either easy or impossible!” But it is not always easy for true poets to write poetry. Homer nodded occasionally, and some other great poets have put forth most prosy poetry. Lioxs and leopards are very fond of perfumes

CHAPTER XIV. RANGER RALPH’S ADVENTURES. Wo loft Ranger Ralph in a vory peculiar position of peril and excitement, an occupant of one of the wagons the outlaws had securod from the attacked emigrant train. As lias been stated, tho scout beliovod that his presence in the vehicio was not known or even suspected. Ho had crept thither, dosporatoly wounded as he supposod, and while unconscious tho wagon had startod on its journey. From what ho saw and hoard, the scout reasonod that Danton had met a new section of Dospard's outlaw band near tho emigrant train, and they were a 1 now returning to tho banuit's headquarters at Lono Canyon. The plight was not a pleasant one to tho ranger. He discerned great peril and trouble should Despard carry Inez to his mountain homo. Aloro than onco the old scout had lod tho vigilantos to the place, only to suffer defeat Tho canyon was noarly impassable wnon guarded by the outlaws. Even were tho girl rescued, it would bo difficult to pass through iho qountry infested by hostilo Indians. Still, tho scout was glad the plot now centered at Lone Canyon. Here he know tho hormlt Walford lived. Tho scout found that his wound, received at tho onslaught ou the emigrant train, wliilo painful, was by no means serious. He lay securely hidden by the hay and straw in thq bottom of tho wagon, yet he could soe his cncmlos on the seat and behind the wagon. Tho course of the outlaws during the morning was over a prairie interspersed with trees. Toward evening thoy diverged to the mountains, entered Lono Canyon, and then followed tho Pueblo River through the hills. It was just about dusk when the cavaleado halted at a piaco well known to tho scout. As ho peered from his covert ho knew that ho was in the vicinity of one of the hardest taverns In tho territory. It \Va,s known' as “Lone Canyon Tavern,” and was kept by a man named Ditmar, who, surrounded by fugitives from justice and criminals, safely defied the law in this isolated place. The entire party had stoppod hero, and their noisy tones and clinking glasses could bo heard from the bar-room a few minutes later. The scout was about to shift his pained, crampod position, and oven meditated taking advantage of the gathering dusk to escape from the wagon, when he pausod and listened. 'I wo men wore passing tho wagon and going toward tho saloon. Thoy wore conversing, and ho heard ono of thorn say: “I understand Despard is going to divide and leave tho business. ” “Yes, when ,we get up to tho den,” responded the other. “There’s considerable plunder to divide. ” “5 should say so. Ho got a lot from the emigrant wagons.” “In gold?” “Clearmoney; yes.” “Where Is It?” “Maybe It’s In this wagon.” “Not likely. ” “Why not?” “They don’t leave gold lying around loose. ” One of tho men, as If impelled by some whimsical curiosity, had placed Ills hand over tho backboard of tho wagon. Groping among the hay, he uttered a Startled ejaculation. “Hello!” “What is it?” asked his companion. “There’s some one in hero.” “In the wagon?” “Yea ” “Who is it?” “Dunno, but It’s some ono.” “Let’s have him out.” “No. That’s Danton’s business. I wonder if ho knows who It 19?” “May be a friend of his. We’ll tell him about It, anyway. ” The man pulled vigorously at tho scout’s arm. Ranger Ralph gave utterance to a series of incoherent mutterings. “Drunk!” commented one of tho men. They walked away toward tho tavern. The scout foresaw that his discovery was only a question of time. He glanced toward the tavern and ob-erved that several of the outlaws were hanging outside the piaco in full sight of tho wagon. “If I could only start up the horses around the ledge of rocks there, I would be out ot range and could escape, ” he thought. Ranger Ralph chirruped to the horses, and they instantly started. He had miscalculated what would occur, however.

HO wou'd think it!” said Airs. Breezy, taking up a piece of fancy work and sitting comfortably in her rocking chair. “It is only a few woeks to Christmas ” “Is that all?” asked Air. Breo y, deep in lrs newspaper. “Yes, on y a few weeks,” said Airs. B eezy. “The timo will fly away before wo know it, and I have hardly 1 have so many to

The moment they turned tho ledge of rocks the road led by a steep descent to the river. Ungulded, and borne forward by the Impetus of the wagon, tho horses dashed down this declivitous pathway. Tho scout sprang to his feet and started for the seat. A swing of the vehicle dashed him against its sides, and then ho gave up all for lost: for the wagon pitched from side to side, lurched forwa:d, fell over the side of the cliff, and went tumbling to the rocky Led of the river, sheer forty feet bejow. Tho startled outlaws hurried after the wagon as they it start forward. They saw the catastrophe, and heard the horses neigh wildly in terror as they struggled in midair. Then the traces gave way, The steeds disappeared under tho waters of iho river. The wagon struck the water, was submerged, and then with its living freight was borne from sight into tho shadows of the canyon, down the swift current of the Pueblo River.

ROYAL RANGER RALPH; The Waif of the Western Prairies.

BY WELDON J. COBB.

CHAPTER XV, WHITE FAWS. The smoldering camp-firo of the Modocs burned low, and tho spot where the triumphant savages had fired the funereal pile a few minutes previous was silent and deserted. At the place where Darrel Grey had been tied to the tree its charred trunk and a heap of ashes alone showed. The least sanguine of the Indians ■would have sworn that their intended victim had certainly paid the full penalty of his temerity in visiting their camp. Yet the young scout had escaped. It was a marvelous combination of circumstances which led to his timely rescue. He had abandoned himself to his fate, and adjudged a struggle utterly useless when the fire was lighted. He saw the Indians disappear. He saw the fire creep upward—a hideous, menacing serpent of flame—and gave himself up for lost Suddenly hope revived in his breast His hands were loosed; he was forcibly dragged back from the tree, and he turned to greet his unexpected rescuer. ▲ dark, expressive fate peered into

his own, a pair of mournful eyes me! bis glance. “White Fawn!" ejaculated Darrel, In I bewilderment. It was indeed the Indian maiden. “Ye 9 it is White Fawn." “And luwe? You rescued me. Ah, how can I thank you?" “Eagle Eye forgets.” “Forgets what?" “That he saved the life of White Fawn." “But how came you here?” “Because here was the Black Crow.” “Despard!” exclaimed Barrel. “Y'es, so the paleface calls him.” “He is your enemy?" The oyes of the Indian princess flashed fiercely. “He is, my most cruel enemy. ” “Speak! What wrong has he done you?" “Why would Eagle Eye know?” “To avenge White Fawn’s wrongs.” “You would do that?” “Yes, for he has persecuted tho friends of Eaglo Eye.” “Como!” The Indian maidon lod Darrel to a spot near tho river where they would not be discovorod should tho savages return. Then she told her simple, fateful story. It seemed that a month previous she had been wedded at the camp of her father to thu Jaguar, a chief of tho peaceful Ncz Forces. Tho latter was to convey her to tho reservation of his tribo, and left tho wigwam of Shadow Snako loaded down with gold and jewels. Dyke Dospard and his men were to convoy them to their destination. Instoad, he robbed then killed tho Jaguar, as White Fawn bollevod, and imprisoned her in the cave whenco Darrel had rescued her. Here she had been guarded by ono of Despard s men until tho return of the latter from Ton Spot Then ho had attempted to kill her, as has boon soon. Darrel asked tho Indian girl why she did not go to her father with her story. “Not till White Fawn Is certain tho Jaguar is dead, and until sho has killed Black Crow,” sho replied, ominously. Sho listened intently as Darrel related his own adveuturos with the bandit Then she said: “White Fawn knows whoro Black Crow has gone. ” “You do?” “Yes. ” “Whoro?” “To Lone Canyon. ” “Is It far from hero?” “A night’s Journey.” “And you will guide mo thither?” “Yes.” Boforo an hour had passed Darrol knewuhat tho Intrepid Whito Fawn was a valuablo and dauntloss ally to his cause. She seemed inspired with but ono idea, and that was to confront tho man who had wrongod her so terribly. White Fawn understood tho country thoroughly, but they may slow progress, s Many times they concealed themselves to avoid passing savages, and It was night when they came to the canyon where tho stronghold of tho bandits was located. They skirted tho gulch whoro tho Lono Canyon tavern was situated, and descended into tho wild gully boyond, that was desoiato and Isolated in tho extreme. The moonlight showed tho river with the towering hills on either side. “Look!” said Whito Fawn. “Yonder is one of tho hiding places of tho palefaced renegades. ” Barrel saw a dilapidated log structure which seemed to be built out from an immense cavo in tho mountain side. “You think Despard is there?" ho asked. “Yes. ” “And tho girl?” “Is his prisoner there, or noar by. Remain bore. Whito Fawn will soon return. ” “Whore are you going?” askod.Darrel. “To find out how many thorn are—to learn how wo may reach tiiom." Sho was gono like a (lash. Tho moments sped by and Darrol anxiously awaited tier return. Ho was standing on a ledge of rocks which jutted out over the river, and vainly scanned the scene for somo Indication of iho prosonco of his foes. Suddenly, to his right and inland, ho saw a light Hash. He began walking toward it, clambered over a huge boulder, and was amazed to view a natural basin in tho landscape which resembled an immonso pit. Its sides were almost perpendicular, and were overspread with vines and bushes.

Tho light moved across the opon space at the bottom of this indentation. Apparently, it was a lantern carried by somo pefton. Barrel observed that the placo was directly back of tho elevation in which tho log cabin was located. It was evidently a part of the abode of the bandits. As he stood regarding the lantern curiously it suddenly disappeared. At the same moment, in leaning too far over the edge of tho pit, ho lost his balance and fell forward. Down, down ho wonj, slightly breaking a very heavy fall by clutching at ttio vinos and shrubs. He landed at tho bottom of tho pit, badly bruised and half stunned. There was no way of climbing out of the place, and as ho recovered his senses he endoavored to find somo other outtot from his strange place of imprisonment. Ho finally groped his way to an opening that seemed to lead into tho mountain side. Undoubtedly, he reasoned, tho man with the lantern had disappeared by this egress. Ho crept along a narrow passage-way, and saw, some distance ahead, a glimmer of light. Darrel paused, as against Its radiance ho mado out a largo, cavelike apartment. Two men were standing within it Ono was Dyke DeSpard, The other was a man bearing a lantern in his hand. “Well,” the former asked, “is every•thing all right?” “Yes, Captain.” “No spies or visitors since wo left?” “None. ” “And tho way of escape by the pit?" “Is closed up until we need to use it.” “Very well. Now, then, as to your expedition down the canyon?” “In search of the old hermit? “Walford—yes. ” Darrel started. Ho remembered that this was the name of the man to whom Tracey had left the fortune for Inez. “I have located him ” “Good.” “It is about ten miles from here.” “Could you guide me there?” “Readily.” “Is he alone?” “Always. ” “And not prepared for visitors?” “Ho imagines no one knows tho way to his abode." Then wo will make a visit ” “When?” “To-morrow. ” The two mon loft the place. Darrel followed them at a distance. Suddenly the light was shut out from his vision. A large stone seemed rolled Into an aperture leading from the cave. He approached It and peered beyond tho edges. A cry of delight escaped his lips. In an underground apartment stood tho object of his quest It was Inez Tracey, the girl he ao devotedly loved. fro na coaxuußD.]

THE POSITIVE TRUTH

That all the hoosier news is here. What Our Neighbor* Are Doing— Matter* or General and Loral Intel eat—Accident*. Crime*. Suicide, Etc. Minor State Item*. Moonshiners aro said to bo working In Dubois County. Columbus’ electric light system has proved a failure and a new ono will be introduced. John Jewei.l, of Greenfark, an old soldier, was run ovor by a buggy and seriously injured. The postnfflee at Mount Etna, in Huntington County, was robbed of 55100 in cash and stamps. It is estimated that tho apple crop of Jefferson County will furnish 50,000 bushels for shipment. The Lafontainc Natural-gas Company struck a now gusher, at a deptli of twenty foot in Trenton rock. A large barn on Shirk’s farm, near Peru, was destroyed, together with valuablo contents and two horses. John Lilly, of ConnersvlUe, was badly hurt Internally at Shelbyvillo while attempting to board a J., M. & 1. train. On Frank Bowen’s place, near Fern Grove, Clark County, a forty-loot strata of commit rock Is said to have boon discovered. A gas explosion took place at. tho Shelbyvillo Water-works building, which damaged t.ho boilers and furnaces at least Sl,ooo. Henry Sherman, a section hand on tho Lake Shore road, wus struck by a train near Rolling Prairie and killed, lie lived noar Now Castle. Asbuby McWilliams, colored, was jailed at Munclo for forging Ids mother’s name to notes, which ho disposed of to Thomas Snell and Vernon Davis. A young woman claiming to come from Marlon, was found dying from exposure in a box-car at Tipton. She had led a fast life, and refused to glvo her name.

F. P. Smith has furnished Columbus with another sensation, lie lias boon married twico and can’t decide which wife ho prefers. At least, that is tho way the story goes. Samuel lloniteb, a prominent minor and resident of Newburg, was carried home from Ehrlich &Co.’s mines seriously Injured, 110 was caught by falling slate wiille at work in Ids room. William Mason and Laura Crawley, r>f Munclo, wore to have been married, but Mason got tho young woman’s watch and suddenly departed. Sho followed him as far as Andorson, and then gave up tho chase. A new national bank, with 8100,000 stock, has been organized at Anderson with tho following directors: John L. Forkner, Thomas J. McMahan, James Sansbery, Jr., .James Salisbury, Sr., B. W. Scott and C. W. Prathor. There Is an old farm-housoncar Washington visited by ghosts In a singular fashion. Every night a huge log Is heard to roll along the roof ami fall to the ground with a heavy bump, but Investigation shows that there is nothing to make the strange noise. The Big Four lias received from tho Terre Haute Car Works 300 of tho Hicks patent live-stock cars, and most of them are already in service. The company Is so well pleased with them that it lias contracted with those works to build 300 more, making 500 In all. At Ersklne, five miles from Evansville, an engine struck a wagon containing Robert Rusten and ids wife, and knocked them Into a ditch forty feet distant, killing both. Mr. Rusten’s neck was broken and Mrs. Rusten had her skull crushed. Both people were about soventy-ilvo years of ago and wore prominent country folk. In looking through an o.d castaway tool-chest at Munclo, Mr. J, C. Maywood found a Hag of much Interest as a relic. Tho flag was about 14x33 inclios, bearing thirty stars. Plainly stamped on tho cloth wore tho words: "For President, Abraham Lincoln. For Vice President Hannibal Hamlin.’’ They wore the Re publican candidates In 1800. Tho flag is in a splendid state of preservation. Patents have been granted to Indiana inventors as follows: Clias. 11. Baker, Wabash, shaft-support for buggies; Fred K. Hornor, jr., assignor to Art Embossing Machine Company, Indianapolis, embossing machine; William Cline, Chayton, monument; Frank 8. Cook, Elkhart, wrench; Delos A. Danforth, Elkhart, apparatus for grinding sickles; Frank Holier, Brazil, watchmakers’ ruby pin-setter; Jesse B. Johnson, Indianapolis, baling press; Constantine 8. Martlndale, Hartford City, gate; Michael Posz. Shelbyvillo, combined desk and toilet case; Geo. B. Rodgers. Pawnee, operating device for brakes; Earnst 11. W. Btablhuth, Columbus, oxtenslon tablo; Henry C. Wheelor and C O. Salatheo, South Bend, adjustable .platform for chairs.

The State Grand Army Department headquarters will issue a circular, in a few days, calling upon tho Indiana veterans, who feel so disposed, to contribute to tho llovey monument fund. It is proposed to raise this fund by popular contribution of 81 from the G. A. R. members of this State. Ohio and Illinois, whore General llovey was best known and beloved as a patriot and a soldier. To each person contributing tho committee will give an engraved certificate boaring in its center a bronze vignette of the late Governor. This method was the one adopted by the Garfield monument fund. A contribution of $1 is asked, though anything from 50 cents up will be received. A committee will bo appointed at tho next Stato Encampment of th G. A. R. at Fort Wayne to take charge of the matter. It Is hoped to erect a bronze statue of General Hovey of life size, and It will be placed on the east, front of tho Capitol on ono of tho portico pedestals.

The stockholders of the Decatur County Agricultural Society met and roolected the old Board of Directors for another year. Tho initiative steps were taken toward the fair for the coming season, with probably spring and fall races each year hereafter An attempt was mado to burglarize the safe in F. E. Worley’s bank, at Eilettsvllle. Tho front doors were drilled into and blown open. The middle doors were drilled,but before the charge was applied, the burglars wore discovered and fled. They had secured a handcar, which they abandoned three miles north of Bloomington. In the Muscatituck River, Thursday, near Seymour, a young .man named Busch, from near Salem, was drowned together with his team, while trying to cross the swollen stream. Tho body was not recovered. One of the most phenomenal children ever born In Clay County is the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. P. Yocom, living south of Brazil. The little wonder was born nearly three weeks ago and i 9 apparently enjoying good health. It has no eye 3; the place where the eyes should be is as smooth as any part of the face. It bears a large birth-mark on the left cheek and has six toes on one foot Apart from this it is as well formed as iny child.

Mrs. Susie Davis, aged 99, died at Lebanon. Peru will try base ball again next season, just the same. Richmond is kicking on the high rates for fuel, aud justly, too. Lutz’s brick-yark, at Yorktown, was damaged about 8300 by fire. Some 300 men and 000 women want screens removed from Goshen gin mills. The Rodefor Window-glass Works of Bellaire, Ohio, will be removed to Elwood. Glanders has been discovered amongst John Ivrist’s horses in Huntington County. An iron brldgo at Shclbyvllle, dropped into the river with a crash, killing two horses. Bedford women have been annoyed by a scoundrel known as “Jack the Pincher.” S. Gkphart was accidentally shot in both thighs with a shotgun, while out hunting near New Albany. Mrs. Amanda Coloan, aged 70, living at Eokerty, fell in tho firo, and her arm burned nearly off before she was found. Little Gcorgo Hodges, 9 years old, jumped into a cistern and rescued his 3-voar-old sister from drowning at English. Daniel Chappell, a young man of Fortvillo, wlillo hunting, had a hand torn off by the accidental discharge of his gun. The Monon fast train killed two horses noar Crawfordsville. Tho team was being drlvon by John Welch, who escaped uninjured. There is a barber-shop war at Wabash. All sliop savoono have cut shaves to scents and halr?euttlng to lOconts for tho ourposeof freezing out non-union establishments. Near Warron, John McCluug wa9 gored to death by a wild boar. Tho beast's tusks onterod McClung’s body twice, once sovorlng tho main artery in tho calf of the log. Laura Lewis cbargoaSuporlntgndent John Ivinyotin.of the Madison County Infirmary, with paternity. Sho Is unmarried. Klnvoun denounces the charge as a blackmailing scheme. Jonathan Jones, a woalthy and prominent citizen of Andorson, Ind., was horribly mangled by a dog. Tho wounds were cauterized at once by a physician, as tho brute Is supposed to have the rabies. A burglar pried opon a window of Joseph Bills &' Co.’s store, at Fbrtville, and stole a complete suit of clothes, including underwear, shoes, stockings, hats, and linen collar, leaving his old clothes on tho floor. Fihh-Cgmmissioner Dennis wants 81, - 000 with which to make an Indiana fish exhibit at tho World’s Fair. He should also take some of tho polluted wator from White River, near the Noblesvlllo Htrawboard Works, to the great fair. J Mrs. W. If. Long, living near High Rock, Morgan County, gavo birth to a daughter that weighed only ono pound. Tho child Is said to bo perfectly formed, and is as lively as a crlckot. The parents of this midget are largo and robust pooplo. Christian Smuokkr, a Gorman farmer living at Napuuoe, Is a monomaniac on tho subject of witches, 110 claims to bo followed with invlsiblo spirits both day and night, writing unintelligible words on tho wall and crying out In the night time.

Peter Fleming Kennedy, ono of tho honored citizens of Hholby County, died from a stroko of apoplexy, at his homo in Hendricks township, aged 75 years. Deceased bassoon a resident of Shelby County sinco 1839, and has reared a largo family. While Homer Lano, a Wabash brakeman on the east-bound local freight train, was attempting to make a coupling In tho yards at Roann, his loft hand was caught between tho draw-bars and his thumb aud three fingers mangled. Ho went immediately to Dr. Brodbock’s office, where Ills wound was dressed, and ho left for his home In Peru. Judge Kirkpatrick overruled tho motion for a now trial in the case of John Bonccuttcr, who had been sentenced to ton yoars’ imprisonment for the murder of Fred lloobs, at Kempton, last July. Tho prisoner was completely ovorcomo and broke down. The sccno was very touching. Bonoeutter is 54 years old, and from the appearance of tho toiigsentonco, it is hardly possible ho will live to bo a free man again. An appeal will bo taken to the Supremo Court for a now trial. Another fatality occurred at Dalevllio recently. A little boy had his life crushed out undor the eyes of his parents, Michael Stophonson, a prosperous farmer, residing near Daieville, had brought a load of corn to Graham’s olovator. His wife and four children, rodo to town or. the wagon. Mr. Stephenson was assisting tho families from the wagon when the horses startod, knocking a little 3#-yoar-old son down. The little ono’s head fell directly under tho wheels, and Its skull was crushed in a frightful manner. In 1875 Frank P. Smith, now of Columbus, then employed on the O. &M. railroad as a fireman, went Into the strike of that year, which resulted in hia discharge when the trouble was ended. , Ho was previously married to a daughter of Judge Crandall, of Joliet, 111. Losing his position he drifted Westward, leaving bis wife and two children. Ho found employment on tho Union Pacific railroad, and later lost that position. He then tramped his way to Columbus, became industrious and rapidly accumulated wealth. In the meantime his first wife had been divorced and went to Chicago. She maintained her two sons by hard work at the sewing-machine. Smith remarried, and soon bad another famllv. In tho latter part of October Smith, who had grown both wealthy and Influential, suddenly disappeared. Prior to this tlmo ho was engaged in the livery business, aud was city water-works trustee. His last wife remained faithful; though ho deserted her. Last week his first wife came to Columbus and. registered at a prominent hotel, proposing to remain until she gets satisfaction. George Richards, tho young man who rented 300 acres of land of John Pueket of Tipton, giving him forged notes to tho amount of 82,200, pleaded guilty to forgery, and was sentenced to three years in prison. Henry- Herman, a Polish laborer.was run over and instant'y killed on the Lake Shore railroad, near Rolling Prairie. He was a section hand and was employed in shoveling snow at the side of the track. lie attempted to cross the track as the train was approaching. The alarm was given in time, but he appeared to take no notice of it Some think it was a deliberate snicide. While climbing a fence of his farm, Charles Wright, a young farmer, living near Wabash, dropped a revolver from his pocket Tho weapon was discharged and the ball entered his groin, where It vet remains. There Is slight hope of his recovery. It is asserted, upon what seems to bo unquestionable authority, that Rey. J. H. Oechterin, rector of St Mary’s Catholic Church, of Fort Wayne, has been selected bishop of the diocese of Lacrosse, Wis., to succeed the late Bishop Flasch. It Is said that Father Oechtering was the chosen candidate of the council of bishops of the Milwaukee district, and that his election has been ratified by the authorities at Rome.