Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 223, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1914 — Page 2

FRIEND IN THE DARK

By F. J. CLARK.

(Copyright. J I’d been waiting to see the notice a whole year, and when I saw It one Thursday afternoon, you can just bet It made me whistle some. And the Joke was, I'd not as much as two dollars to my name, and it felt Just the same as If I'd stumbled on a gqld mine. I tore a generous slab out of the paper, being careful to allow a good margin around the notice, put it carefully away in my pocket, and hiked over to my friend and adviser, Jim, th 4 Turk. He was asleep, after being out all night, and I'd quite a time to awake him. ‘‘Read this!" I said, thrusting the piece of paper in hiss hand. “I'm going to blow' his coop tonight, and I want you to come along." "Who is he?" he asked after he had read it. "Don’t know him." "Why, that’s White, the banker,” I said. "He's worth half a million. He lives over in Jersey and has a regular Solomon's temple of a home. That states he and his family are going to attend a swell wedding in this old burg tonight, which means that he’ll not be at home and that we’ll imake a clean-up.” He shook his head. "Sorry, but I can’t go along with •you, Spotty, my boy,” he said. “Got a. very important engagement on hand for this evening, and I can’t turn It idown. But don’t allow that to interfere with you. That’s a chance you don’t want to let slip by. But you want to be mighty careful. You know them suburb jobs ain’t as easy as they always look. "For my part, I prefer those at hom^.” There was a train left the city at 12 m., an ideal time, and I boarded it. I arrived in the Jersey town at 1:30 a. m. I knew’ just where the house was located, for one afternoon, several months before, I had taken a survey about to be in possession of the facts, when the time arrived to do the trick.

Well, in three-quarters of an hour I’d the place gone over from top to bottom. I’m a' quick worker, and I worked my best. And I’d made quite a haul. Ijd a big bag chock full of solid silverware, and besides I’d about fifty dollars’ worth of jewelry—rings, bracelets, cuff-buttons, and breastpins I’d run across upstairs in the different sleeping rooms. I chucked the bag of silver over my shoulder when it occurred to me I wanted a drink. I laid It on the floor, and went back into the dining room, where I remembered having seen a flask of whisky while I was helping myself to the silver, and a box of cigars on the buffet. I picked u!p both of them and returned to where I’d been, which room happened to be the library. I lowered myself into a big, comfortable Morris chair, poured out a good sized drink of the and gulped it. Then I lit a cigar. Of course, I was all smiles. Two hundred would put me in clover for the coming montp, at least. And I was in a position to enjoy the clover. I took another drink, putted several times more on my cigar, and told myself I'd tarried around about long enough. As a farew-ell drink, I poured out another one, and was about to raise It to my lips when a soft sound behind me broke the quietness of the room. I shot around, and foupd myself in the line of the shining barrel of a big revolver. It was backed by a tall, smooth-faced, grinning individual. He was framed in the doorway leading into the hall. “How do!’’ he greeted pleasantly. He'd knocked the speech clean out of me so that I didn't find it for a minute or so. "Well, I guess you’ve got me, all right,” I said. t “Yes. Looks very much that way,” he smiled. “But just for safe keeping, put that bad looking pop you have there in your hand on the table. I’ll feel easier, besides I like to have such things where I can easily see them, and you might be tempted to use it if you got the least chance.” I didn’t do his bidding right off, for, when I gave up my pop, I might as well tie my hands for him. But when he commanded me again, and made it very plain by the way he said it that he meant what he said, I threw it on the table. I “Now, empty out your pockets,” he ordered, “and be careful not to leave anything behind.” I did without saying a word. “Is that all?” he questioned, frowning. “Here's my pockets,” I invtyed. “Go through them, if you think I have more.” He chuckled again. —\ “It seems so small, though. ' I’d think they’d have more jewelry about. They’re well-to-do people, you know. But, then, I suppose, they wore the good stuff to the wedding. I’d forgot But sit down. Drink up. And jußt pour me out one. Yoh don’t mind ■my drinking with you?” "Not at all,” I said. “There’s plenty of it here, and you've got as much right to it as I have.” He gulped the stuff and smacked his lips. ‘The rich chaps have the good goods *ll right,” he smiled. “Now, Jpst pass ne a cigar. We might as well have a

smoke together, too. No telling when we'll meet-agaln. “I hope It will be under different circumstances,” I said. He smiled thoughtfully. "They could be worse.” He stud* led the end of his cigar. “It strikes me, my friend, you're somewhat green at yqur business," he observed as he blew out the first puff of, smdke. ‘Tm Inclined to believe an old hand would not have stopped to enjoy himself as you did, but would have made to safer grounds, Just as soon as he got everything available.” "You’re right,” I agreed. “I surely am a greenie at the game. And now I'm satisfied I’m a rank failure at the business. I’ve proved it by my foolish conduct this very night.” He knocked the ashes off his cigar and looked over sit me. “Did you ever stop and think what kind of work you’re engaged in?” he questioned seriously. “Really, did you ever stop and think?” "No, 1 guess I never did,” I answered.

"I thought so, my friend. Well, you want to stop and you want to think, and think hard, too. ft may be a good thing lor you. You may come to realize you’re in the most dangerous business in the whole world, and the due that pays you least, when you come to consider all things. You’re going about with your life in your hands, and on every job you; tackle you’re inviting a bull, a regulaf,' or a watchman to try his aim at you. And besides, state’s prison is staring you in the face. Take tonight, for instance, couldn’t I have plugged you full of lead just as well as not, and done so before you’d have time to say Ijoo? Just as easily as rolling off a log. Ana let me tell you right now, there’s a good many, if they’d been in my place, would have done so, too. They’d not have taken any chances. They wouTdn’t have given you a show to pull first. But somehow I felt you w’ere different. I sized you up quitfr a while before I spoke. 1 felt you wouldn’t kill a man unless you had to.” "I wouldn’t kill under any circumstances,” I said. “I’d submit to capture every time first.” And then I began the story I’d been waiting from the first to get going, that raised good, fell-through-Bomebody-else’s-fault and forced to turn burglar because of no open legitimate paths, that mother-at-home game, and the promise to turn-over-and-do-better, if let go, all of it, just the hash we have stowed away in our noddles to pull for sympathy on such- occasions.

When I’d finished he faintly smiled and slowly puffed on his cigar. “And your mother's living?” he asked. “Yes, sir, and belongs to a very prominent family in Boston.” He turned around and looked straight across at me. “Have people been in the habit of using you kindly?” he asked. “Have they been using you as you’d like to be u^ed?” I shrugged my shoulders and smiled. “It’s been so long since a kind act fell my way that I've forgotten all about it,” I said. “The rough part of the world has always been mine and always will be, I suppose.” “For the most part you may deserve it,” he said. “You may not be the kindliest on earth yourself. One thing sure, you cannot expect to find kindness and encouragement when you follow what you’re at how\ But suppose now, I should do you a kind turn, would you benefit by it? For instance, all I’ve got to do is to take up that transmitter over there on the table and call in the police and have you dragged off to jail. But suppose I don’t do it, but instead let you go, would you call that a kind act? You asked me a little while ago who I am. I said I might be the chief of police. Well, I’m not, and it strikes me, if you’d done a little thinking of your own, you’d have come to the conclusion that Mr. White wouldn’t go away and leave such a beautiful home after him as this without somebody hn guard. You wouldn’t yourself. And he didn’t. He left me here, an I’m a plain, everyday watchman. And now I’m going to let you gg>. So now, we’ll have another drink together, and then make yourself scarce! You can’t tell what might happen.” Of course, I was delighted to get away, and I told myself I’d pay him back if I had tp wait till I was dying and remember him in my will. It was daylight when I got into the city. And being yet broke, the two dollars that Jim the Turk, had loaned me going for car fare, I went up to Rosenbaum’s, the pawnbroker, to make a borrow. He had loaned me some, and I was ovef in a corner of the store, reading the paper. The door opened and a tall, smooth-faced man stepped in. In his hand he carried a goodsized grip. Rosenbaum greeted him and took the satchel. "‘l’ll be back in half an hour or so and collect,” he said, turning toward the door. "Who is that guy?” I asked Rosenbaum as he went out “Him!” smiled Rosenbaum. "Don’t you know ? Why, he’s Red Andy, the slickest bureau-tapper that Chicago ever turned out. He blew in here a couple of months ago. He made a good haul somewhere last night, too. Just lode.” I leaned over the counter and looked into the open grip. It was choking with the silverware I’d collected at Mr. White's home. Then the counter came up and hit me In the forehead, at least I thought It did, but it was really me takln’ a tumble when I realized I’d fell for his phony guff and let him make the clean getaway.

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

LIBAU, NPORTANTRUSSIAN NAVALBASE

IF a bombardment of Libau by a German warship should prove effective, then Russia would certaintainly be wounded In one of her most important naval strategic positions, remarks a writer in the New York Sun. To Russia Libau is a port of very great cbncern and one. that normally in time of war should be of prime importance to her, especially in the winter time.

’ St. Petersburg is substantially ice bound for months each year. This is the reason for Libau’s military significance. This Baltic city lies far enough south of the capital to be substantially an open port the year round, and by a moderate use of-an ice breaker continuous intercourse by sea is maintained the winter through by vessels running to Germany, England and the United States. In fact, Libau is the home port for the Russian volunteer fleet, whose ships enter New York. Originally Libau offered poor inducements for either a naval base .or a commercial port, the town lying upon a stretch of low sandy coast directly exposed to the sweep of the Baltic gales, while the water off shore deepened so gradually that its shallowness induced a very nasty sort of sea. However, it was a matter of necessity and money was n,ot allowed to count. Accordingly, the Russian authorities adopted heroic measures and set about the building of an artificial harbor. With characteristic extravagance the work was started and carried through in the face of many difficulties. Two Spacious Harbors.

Today Libau boasts two harbors, one military, the other commercial, and both lie behind a great breakwater more than four miles long, pierced by two narrow and heavily guarded entrances. Once inside of that shelter a very large fleet can anchor securely nd matter how hard it may blow in the Baltic without. It was there that Admiral Rozhdestvensky assembled his ships before setting

out for the far East and the fateful battle of Tsushima. Breakwaters are commonly built of big masses of piled rock capped with a topping of cut stone. But ordinary practice was out of the question at Libau, and the engineers were soon face to face with a serious difficulty. Rocks were scarce in that sandy region, and even small stones could be gathered only by dint of a good deal of searching. To overcome the dearth of desirable material of nature’s making and to avoid the impracticable' alternative of bringing rock overland by very inadequate rail facilities, it was decided to fashion monster ;?blocks of concrete, weighing 30 tons apiece, out of the readily available sand. In . this way millions of dollars were spent in the producing of artificial stone, and these enormous units were dumped upon the bed of the Baltic until they reached above the water’s surface. The general appearance of this breakwater is suggestive of the careless work of a crowd of ypung Titans, but the great playblocks serve their purpose well and are manifestly durable. With .this sea wall done the next problem was to construct a navy yard back from the coastline and fairly well hidden from the sight of a foe advancing from the sea. Here, too, the Russian engineers boldly faced the existing handicaps. By cutting a broad and deep chanhel through a neck of land that intervened between the Baltic and a good sized lake a mile or more inland the makings of a naval station were available. Laving reached the lake, the next thing waif to dredge out its shallow depths until water enough was obtained for the largest of the czar's battleships. Around this lagoon the navy yard was set, two dry docks were dug and machine Bhops and marine railways constructed for the purpose of meeting all the exigencies of wartime service. In addition to this, bombproofs and heavy batteries were placed along the

flanking coast, and so hidden that they could not be seen from the sea. For some years Libau has been the prime Baltic center for Russia’s submarine flotillas and an instructional base for these craft. Indeed, the admiralty has been engaged for some years in working out a general system of submarine defense for the Baltic, and any grave damage to the port will seriously affect her strategic program for those waters. 3 Seaport’s Importance to Russia. Of course, the authorities have purposely kept as secret as possible the nature of the military work at Libau and foreigners would ordinarily have but little chance to see anything at all. But Americans have helped, and so have British engineers,' in the strengthening of this artificial base, and from these something has been learned of the nature of the preparations at that port. Although bombarded by the Germans, it is doubtful if any material damage has been done the navy yard, and the destruction of the town, unlike the hidden naval basin and docks, would not hamper the port in a military sense. It must not be forgotten that Libau is naturally an important railway terminal, with lines running both back toward the Russian-German frontier and up along the coast to the other Baltic ports, with a northern terminal at St. Petersburg. For purposes of supply it is, therefore, of the greatest concern to Russia to hold the harbor of Libau open to her shipping and to other craft, bringing her contraband. The German attack was logical, tut it is yet to be learned whether or not the results were conclusive. If so, the kaiser has scored heavily against the czar should the present struggle run on into the winter months.

At this particular season Libau is one of popular resorts, and is very much patronized by the people living inland in the Baltic provinces. It boasts a number of attractons of

VIEW OF HARBOR. LIBAU

the regulation seashore sort and its beaches, because of their gradual dip, are admirably suited for surf bathing. Some of the practices there may Jar upon our notions. In Libau a bathing Buit is not only a„ novelty but a rarity. The custom is to go into the water without any more impediments than an occasional covering for the head. Men and women bathe at different sections of the beach separated by a neutral strip.

Poor Mr. Rudyard Kipling has for many years now been unable to talk politics without abandoning good manners and common sense in quite a singular degree. The tendency has become a sort of disease with him; and, therefore, speeches such as that which he delivered last Saturday at Tunbridge Wells cannot surprise us or make us indignant, as they would do if delivered by a responsible person. We remember that in the far away days when he was a great creative writer he produced works of genius for which we were all grateful; and the splendor of their precocious dawn has not been canceled, though its promise has neves, been fulfilled. But genius is too wayward a thing for promise or prophecy, and the map of genius has burdens laid on him which others can but dimly diWne. —London Chronicle.

Silverware and Jewelry worth |350, stolen from Albert F. Ballard of Putnam valley, N. Y., by burglart' three years ago, was recovered in the hollow of a tree felled by a bolt of lightning. Besides silverware there were two watches, a gold smoking set, and bric-a-brac. All was found wrapped in a cloth cover, stolen at the time, in the hollow of the trunk. The thieves, evidently frightened while getting away with it, cast it into the hollow of the tree, and never had the oourage to go back after it

Twilight of Mr. Kipling.

Old Loot Found in Tree.

MAKING SOLDIERS OF INDIANS

Oregon Statesman -Believes Aborigines Should Have Been Developed as Cavalrymen.

Senator Lane of Oregon suggests that this country should have made cavalrymen of the Indians, instead bf trying to make a race of farmers out of them. The infusion of white blood among the better Indians is credited with whatever farming success they have had. Our mistake, the senator says, was trying to steer the Indian’s energy into a new* channel instead of applying his natural inclination to a useful purpose. If we had given him a horse, he adds, and allowed him to live as the Arabs live, in his tent put of doors, carrying his family with him, we should have the finest cavalry In the world, a body loyal to the country and particularly adapted to its work and contented as a man always is when engaged in something to his liking.

The picture suggests too much the guerrilla idea to win entire approval, but is worth thinking about. A body of Indian cavalry undpr the restrictions of army regulations and a part of the army organization would be a promising experiment. It suggests the way in which the Russians have utilized the Cossacks, and the latter are hardly a finer and more (.effective body than an Indian cavalry would doubtless become. What has been done in the way of farming settlement among the Indian tribes cannot be undone. But the time is not past when the idea of an Indian cavalry, organized and governed under army administration, would be worth trying. Our American thoughts don’t turn to war. But we mean to have the nucleus of an army second to none in the art of science of war. We have the finest military school at West Point, where we turn out a supply of officers educated in their calling, and a general organization to build a larger force on if a threat of war at any time calls for it. And we are seeing just now in Europe the vital need of preparedness or the means to be prepared against the possibility. In any event, the effort to see if we should not utilize the raw material that we have for the cavalry arm Is worth the consideration of the authorities. —Indianapolis News.

Gas in Agriculture.

Apropos of the reported discovery in this country that carbonic acid gas (CO 2 ) is a valuable stimulator of plant growth a recedt communication to the British Royal society by Mr. F. Kidd is of some interest. Mr. Kidd had found that the germination of seeds was prevented by an atmosphere containing twenty to thirty per cent of COj. This treatment seemed to do the seeds no permanent injury, for upon removal from the gas they “sprouted” readily under favorable conditions of heat and moisture. The Beed of white mustard, however, proved an exception to this rule, and following a COi treatment could be caused to germinate only after removal of the testas, or after complete drying following by re-wetting. Mr. Kidd also found that a quantity of green mar terial buried at a considerable depth under ground and allowed to decay may produce sufficient CO 2 in the Boil to prevent the germination of seeds. He suggested that this observation had considerable agricultural significance, and might account for otherwise inexplicable cases of delayed germination.'

Movies Demoralize South Sea Nations.

Moving picture shows are demoralizing the South Sea natives, breaking up their old peaceful customs and inciting them to crime, says a returned English traveler from that part of the world. / Although the average islander is lazy, good-natured and peace-loving, he is not far removed from the days of savagery. Of an excitable and emotional nature, he is carried away by the dramatic films exhibited by promoters. An islander will pawn his last possession, says the traveler, to see a picture show. A recent case occurred in the Samoan islands, where three natives, one a former policeman, stole revolvers and started -eut-to-imitate a hold-up scene. They set upon a European plantation manager, and shot both dead for resisting. The murders were followed by battles with the natives, x with the result .that two of the band were killed Jn action and the third was captured and later hanged.

British Night Attack Failed.

One hundred years ago, after a vigorous bombardment, the British, in three columns commanded by Geheral Drummond, made a night attack upon the Americans entrenched at Fort Erie. Two of the columns had already effected an entrance in the works, and had turned the guns upon the besieged garrison, when the explosion of a magazine blew into the air a storming party, and caused an unconquerable panic on the part of the assailants. The British were compelled to retire, having incurred a loss of 157 killed, 300 wounded aqd.lß6 prisoners. The loss on the American side amounted to only 84 in killed and wounded.

No Sewing.

“My wife told me to bring horns some needles.” * - “Ah, you have a jewel of a wife. Mine positively refuses to do any sewing.” “Candor compels me to admit that these needles are for the graphophone.”

YOUTH IN THE PULPIT

/ CHURCH RECORDS FULL OF EX- fc AMPLES OF PRECOCITY. « —————— Fourteen-Year-Old Charles Forbes, Who Began at the Age of Nine, - —Has Had Much Success—Triumphs of Girl Revivalist. Without the slightest sign of -nervousness, and with all the religious, fervor and enthusiasm of one who has spent many years in the pulpit, the fourtqen-year-old son of Rev. Charles Forbes, who has been conducting a mission at the Stratford tabernacle, London, England, preached a striking sermon recently. Young Forbes began preaching at nine, and he has 'since toured through several American towns. Some of his sermons have been printed, and published, while many more have found their way to the hearts of American working men. Curiously .enough, it at the Stratford tabernacle that Miss Helen Coulthard, who, as “Nellie, the Child Evangelist,” has touched the emotions of thousands, preached last Easter. Miss Coulthard is now twenty years of age, and when she was nine spoke in the open air at a church army meeting. Since then her “conversions” have been many: She is a sister of Miss Libby Coulthard, the fourteen-year-old mill-girl of Bolton, who has held large congregations spellbound with the eloquence and simple directness of her preaching. Libby, like her sister, Helen, began preaching when she was nine years of age. “I love preaching,” she says, “and it is very funny how sermons come to me. When I am at work in ‘ the mill a text comes into my mind and I think about it all day, and then I go home and find it in the Bible.” Readers will probably also remember the sensation created some time ago by Francis Storr, who, as a child of thirteen, preached at a great revival meeting in Holloway hall, and afterwards delivered sermons in various parts of England. There have been quite a number of boy preachers, notably Evan Roberts and Claude Han bury Cooke, or “Jack” Cooke, as he was generally called, who, born in 1886, preached his first sermon at a Manchester street corner 11 years later, and conducted many successful missions in the states. Mention might also be* made of Colin Livingstone, Fltz Wood and Willie Barling, the Croydon boy preacher. As a rule the infant prodigy of the church does not fulfill the promise of earlier years, although there have been exceptions. For example, Mr. Spurgeon preached his first sermon at the age of sixteen. George Fox, the evangelist, and founder of the Society of Friends, was also quite a little boy when he started preaching at a tavern ; while George Whitefield and John Wesley both commenced preaching at a very early age, giving a foretaste of their quality by addressing their school-fellows.

Rather Old-Fashioned.

At ,a dinner the other night they were speaking of the importance of . being right up to date, when Judge Clinton Grey of the New York court of appeals was reminded of the case of John Henry. John Henry had been calling at the home of Myrtle for many months without making much headway toward matrimony, but eventually little Cupid chased him out of the bashful gloom. “Dearest,” suddenly remarked John Henry one night, going over quickly and sitting close by the side of the beautiful girl! “I intend to see your father tonight and ask him for your hand.” “You make me sigh,” wearily responded the fair one. “Why will you insist on being so old-fashioned?” “Old-fashioned?” wonderingly rejoined John Henry, “I don’t get y6u, dearest.” ’’Don’t go and ask him,” imperiously answered dearest. “Go tell him.”- — Philadelphia Telegraph.

Chums In Life and in Death.

Laurence Irving who, with his wife, perished in the Empress of Ireland disaster, had none of the conventional characteristics of an actor. He cared nothing for society and little or nothing for money. He was a man of wide culture, profound simplicity, and ready, eager sympathy. His performance in “Typhoon” established his right to be considered one of the half dozen most competent actors on the English stage. He was always an extremely painstaking worker, and everything he did, he did in his own way. He was, indeed, a real, lovable man, the entirely worthy holder of a great name. He and his wife, Mabel Hackney, were associated in everything, from the day of their marriage, and’it is appropriate that!. they should havd died together. Laurence Irving was one of the few Englishmen who spoke Russian flu* ently.

Growth of Germany.

A century ago there was no German empire—only a number of German states whose / aggregate wealth and income were probably less "than those of France. Now united Germany is estimated to possess an income of nearly 110,000,000,000 and accumulated 'Wealth of about $80,000,000,000. During the century Germany’s population has grown from 24,000,000 to more than 67,000.000, or 180 per cent.