Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 244, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 October 1914 — Page 2

THE PASSING OF JIM

By B. T. KAHMANN.

'Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Co.) We all liked Jim; not & man in the whole camp who was not his friend. The. first time Jim made his appear* ance was on a chill September morning. I was walking to the mine when I heal'd a cheery whistle, and, turning, beheld a tall, stalwart young fellow, dark eyes, a smiling mouth, and at once I took a fancy to him. I smiled involuntarily and held forth my hand. He grasped it eagerly and, shaking it, turned his head as if to hide his emotion. “You are the first man to treat me like this, and you ain’t never going to regret it” “I raised my eyes, looked at the firm, square jaw, and into the honest face, and answered: “I know I shall not” From that day Jim remained. He was always Jim; no one knew him by any other name, and he offered no explanations. No one asked who he was, where he came from, what he had done, or how long he intended to stay. They all met him quietly and gladly accepted his presence, and Boon every man, woman and child was his own particular friend. Jim was no model, not by any means. He loved tb stand before the Golden Gate bar, most of his earnings going to that source, but he never indulged too freely, and he whs never known to be seen under the influence of liquor. He was fond of playing, cards being one of his favorite amusements. He w’as much delighted when he won, but he always played fairly and squarely, and was never accused of cheating. , The little children in particular loved Jim. He was wont to sit with a dozen or more perched about him, one on each knee, some leaning confidently against him; all eagerly listening to some tale which he could so skillfully invent. Many a trinket found its way into their homes, and It was always Jim’s deed. , One bright and sunny morning a group of men were leaning and lounging in the Golden Gate bar. Jim and I were at a table playing cards. “The devil! I’ve won again!” cried Jim, slapping his knee in delight. "I bet that is the last game you ever win,’’ I retorted jokingly. Scarcely had I spoken when the door was flung open and a man, panting and breathless, threw himself into the room. “The dam in the mine has given way.” "Great God!” The cards slipped from my hands as I realized the terrible meaning of his words. “The miners will be drowned like rats in a trap; there ain’t no way to get out,” the man continued. I saw Jim turn pale aB he put down the cards. He seemed to study for a moment, then rose, saying: “Yes, there is a way, only one way; they can’t. get out of the east shaft, because that is blocked by the breaking of the dam, but the wall, by breaking be released, the water will rush through the opening, and a few hours’ work will set them free.” “Do you know what it means to break that wall? Death for the one who attempts it. The water will surge out w'ith such a tremendous force, taking everything in its way, and the man -+-he would scarcely have time to ‘ realize his fate.”

He did not flinch; he acted as if there were no need for excitement, as if it were an every-day affair. “You spoke truly when you said that waß my last game of cards. It Is, pal, for Jim will never hold another ace." “What do you mean?" “I mean that that wall must be broken, and I am the man to break It, and I don’t think it is likely that I shall ever play after that.” “Jim, you are crazy! ” The exclamation came in chorus from the crowd around him. “Oh, no I ain't; i(Ps got to be done.” We sprang forward, grasping him by the arms, but he shook himself free. “Let me go, boys, of what good am I anyway? 1 never did anything in my life. Why not let me do this? You can't go; you have all got wives and children. Think of them and of the men in the mine, struggling for life and freedom, with that awful death in store for them. If no one goes and helpß, hundreds, your best friends and all, will drown in fjjp, mine, whctn they can be so easily Baved. What is the cost of one life when it will save hundreds? Who will mourn and weep when they bring me back bo cold and still? There won't be any tears, because there Is no one who cares, and if those hundreds perish, how great will be the ruin and disaster? You must let me go. Look! see those mothers, Listen to the songs upon their Ups and see their smiling faces. Will they ever smile or sing if their husbands do not return tonight? See the little children; who will care for them if the father comes no more?- What will those women so utterly helpless and dependent, what will they do If soipe one is npt willing to take the risk? And then lpok at me. Will they be sad when 1 am gone? No. Will they be deprived of any delight and joy when Jim is hidden? No. Oh! you may be sorry, but that will vanish and soon the sun will shine lost as brightly, the birds sing Just as *.; ; -■ ‘

sweetly for you as if there had been no Jim.” > „ A lamp which I could not swallow came into my throat -and the others hid their faces. He looked so young and boyish, so strong and full of life, that to think of him still in death chilled our very hearts and minds. “1 ain’t so good that 1 like to think of dying, but it has got to be, Ohe or a hundred. One would be ihuch better. You have all been mighty gbod to me, and I want to thank you. Think kindly of me, boys, and —and don’t forget too soon, as I like to be remembered.” 5 t He slowly shook hands with üb, one by one. The lips of the boys were drawn and it seemed to me that I was committing a. crime. Just as he held my hand a sunny-faced girl ran up to Jim. “We wants a tory,” she lisped. He stooped and tossed her into the air. “Jim won’t tell stories any more. Jim’s going away." “No, Jim shan’t go,” she sobbed, clasping him about the neck as if to prevent. “Where is Jim going?” “Way off, where they don’t worry and where they ain’t down on a man because he ain’t rich and great; where everything is so nice and sweet, and where even Jim can learn to be good.” The child stared at him in amazement. "That must be heaven, Jim!” “It is heaven, I hope, and some day you will meet me over there.” He kissed her softly, placing her upon the ground, while she ran to tell the rest. “Follow me, but don’t try to help.” He hastened to the door, sprang upon the back of his mare and turned. His face was lighted with a smile, but it was trakfixed with a new radiance. The face of the rough miner was made beautiful by the greatness and mightiness of his deed and sacrifice. We followed, and as we waited we could hear the thud, thud, thjid of his hammer and the grating of his and even the falling of stone. He began to whistle the same old tune he loved so well —an old church hymn. We stood with bowed heads and beating hearts ~ waiting for the end. Then came a horrible, intense, deathlike stillness, which was quickly answered b f'k terrific explosion and report, as if a hundred cannons had gone off. The sound was that of a rock-crusher, as the stone fell, and the pieces of coal and dirt went seething past. Then again the silence, the ebbing and swirling of black, dark waters as they poured forth, rushing out, pell mell. We stood, hoping against hope, yet knowing all the time how utterly useless it was. Presently we caught sight of a hand and his body floated to us. The dark face was partly crushed and discolored with blood, but there was a smile upon his lipß. He had saved the miners and Jim had passed to his reward In the Great Beyond. '

CHIEF CAUSES OF FATIGUE

Bad Ventilation and Altitude Are the Main Factors In Producing This Depression. Fat igue- is caused by anything that interferes with the carrying of oxygen to the tissues. This may be a diminished amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, diminished carrying powef of the blood, diminished lung capacity or interference with the circulation of the blood. The two factors which relate especially to diminished amount of oxygea in the atmosphere are bad ventilation and altitude. The main effect of bad ventilation, especially where there are a number of people in a room, is to increase the humidity. The detrimental effect of this humidity is of more importance than any diminishing of oxygen or increase in carbon dioxide. Ip industry one is more concerned, however, with the diminished oxygencarrying power of the blood. Anemia is produced by a variety of causes, among which are deficient light, insufficient iron in the blood, insufficient variety of food, Irregularity of the bowels, as the sequel of disease (particularly infectious diseases) and of metal poison, such as lead. So, working at night or in dark buildings or dark rooms is injurious to the blood.

YOUTH TRUE TO HIS PLEDGE

Stuck to the Tjcyth In Hie Assertion as to His Purpose for the Evening. Camp meeting was in full blast. Sounds of shouting filled the air. Suddenly Zeke Billikin, Farmer Billikln’s •‘lncorrigible’’ son, leaped to his feet with tears streaming from his eyes. ‘7 got It! I got it!” he exulted. "I’m through with my evil ways. From this day forth I vow to speak the truth and nothing but the truth!” “Zeke,” said his father feelingly after supper that night. “I was right glad to hear you speak out In meetin’ that there way today. It warms my old heart to think th%t at last ipy son is a good boy and will speak nothing but the truth. Suppose you start in right now by telling me where you are going tonight?" Zeke settled his hat on his head. '.‘Pap, I’ll tell you the truth and nothin’ else, like I swore. I'm jest goln' out to feed the chickens.” “But, Zeke, the chickens has been fed.” objected old Billikin. “Some of ’em hain’t,” said Zeke, and closed the door after him. Long after midnight, in the town's swellest case, Zeke was still feeding the chickens.—Detroit Free Press. . . . n--‘ :

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN. RENSSELAER, IXP.^

The HIGHWAYS of HOLLAND

ALL Dutch towns, of course, have their cahale; thoroughfares as busy and frequented as their brick-paved high-roads, but the water villages have virtually nothing else. t>ne of the best-known of these is Aalsmeer. It may be attained by the prosaic means of the railway, though the man of sentiment will prefer to approach its idyllic shores by boat, or, at least, by pad, especially as the way to it leads through some of the most interesting and distinctive country in Holland. For Aalsmeer lies on the edge of the district known as the Haarlemer mere, a rich and fertile tract of land, which was covered a hundred years ago by a dangerous and' stormy inland sea, formed in the fifteenth century by floods from the River Rhine and the Y, Gradually this great lake spread till it became a menace to Leiden, Haarlem, Amsterdam and even ■Utrecht, and keeping the necessary dikes and sluices in order became a heavy burden in labor and expense. It was into these waters that 300 of the citizens of Haarlem were thrown, tied back to back, in the butchery by the Spaniards that took place after its siege and capitulation in the winter of 1672-3. Great Engineering Feat. Draining this large tract of land was so great a feat of engineering that though it was suggested by a Dutchman called Leeghwater as early as the seventeenth century, it was not undertaken till after 1836, when a more than usually violent storm whad caused great destruction of property from floods. Even then the scheme Was not

actually put into effect till more than ten years later. It took three years continual pumping to drain the Haarlemer Meer, but the reclaimed land was quickly taken up by cultivators. Now it is some of the most fertile country in Holland. It may be easily distinguished on the map by its being marked out in squares with blue lines for the intersecting canals, and even driving through it the visitor cannot help noticing the rectilinear character of its™ roads. Straight as they are, these roads are very pleasant in spring, especially when they traverse the f side of a broad canal fringed with waterplants in flower, yellow iris and pinkflowering rush; sweet-smelling, unfrequented roads, the haunt of rare birds, flt prelude to the enchanted village of Aalsmeer. Aalsmeer itself is now intersected by a road, but at the point where it crosses a bridge a charming vista opens on either side. Right and left, as far as the eye can reach, stretches the narroV towing-path that forms the village high-road of Aalsmeer, with canals on either side of it The houses, which appear sometimes to'be actually encircled by water, are connected with this towing-path by plank swing bridges. These are so constructed that a touch from the punt-pole of an approaching barge sends them back alongside of the bank, leaving a free passage on the waterway. The houses themselveß are surrounded by trees and trim gardens. Nothing could be prettier than this village, nothing could have a more unique charm. The people themselves are quite in the picture, for these remote villagers have preserved, in several instances, a dignified, beautiful type and a stately and primitive simplicity. Famed for Its Roses. Like Aalsmeer, the more modern water-village of Boskoop has its horticultural industry. Boskoop is everywhere famous for its roses; it is more accessible and far less poetic than Aalsmeer. Besides roses, azaleas and rhododendrons are grown here; but roses are the principal product. Already between three and four million plants are annually produced for sale, and the Industry is a growing one. The remote Friesland village of Olethoorn is of quite a different type. Here there is no industry to bring it into contact with the outside world, no railwar, and, except on one side, no road. Tall trees shade Itf* waterways oh either side, and throw deep green reflections upon their still surfaces. The

houses, prosperous-looking, well-kept, and ot a fair size, seclude themselves, each ohe in its own garden. A narrow path runs beside the water, which is crossed by high rickety-looking wooden bridges, raised above the water, so as to allow of the passage of a puntpole beneath them. The whole place is like a bower of green. The people themselves are no more apparent than some woodland animal; the only events that ever happen here are a wedding or a funeral procession, which both alike must make their way down the silent green streams. The village has its moment of life when the children come out of school and play on the narrow footpath, or run and crowd with a skill bom of long practice over the narrow plank bridges which .cross the intersecting canals. Not the least attractive part of the visit to Giethoorn is the journey there. The point of'departure is the charming little town of Meppel, half-way between Zwolle and the more northern towns of Friesland. Without having any historic or antiquarian associar tions, Meppel has an engaging individuality of its own, and it is surrounded by pleasant country and many hedges. Soihe distance from Meppel Is a village called Wanneperveen, and here a boat must be taken to Giethoorn. The boats are rough punts that will take a mast and sail, and are manned generally by a delightful old fisherman, picturesque and primitive as his tarry little craft. At first the stream winds among meadows, then it Slowly widens into a broad expanse of reeds That whisper and bow in the wind, apparently inaccessible and

TYPICAL DUTCH CANAL

guarding in their depths silent pools, where rare waterfowl nest, their harsh, unfamiliar cry borne on the wind to the passer-by. Finally this reedy waterway gives place to an open mere, and here the boatman deftly raises his sail and skims across to the village silent, shrouded in its trees, and having an inexpressible sense of remoteness. Of all the delightful experiences that a visit to Holland holds in store there is nothing quite like the passage of the gray gleaming waters of this Friesland mere, which divulges, as it were, the village of Giethoorn.

The Russian officials are usually pleasant gentlemen. There is generally an air of indolence and indifference present in the office. There are many people about, smoking cigarettes and sipping at their tea. While this is being done, there may be a crowd awaiting their attention or that of the chief. It takes about three men to do the work of one. Each one waits fpr thp orders from some one else; if orders do not come It is safest to do nothing. Initiative Will likely be punished. Each one feels that he is only bound to loyalty to his chief. In the government itself he has no part. If he is ambitious, obsequiousness Is an excellent quality. But salaries are small, money is necessary, and opportunities for making money out of his office open up. The official is only human. Were local self-government established, there would undoubtedly be less corruption, for there would be responsible officials near at hand. The bureaus in Petrograd would not have to be consulted. The bureaus and ministries would not only be freed of much detail and annoyance, but blame would not be placed on them for every fault or neglect of a lower official. —North American Review.

Europe’s war has caused trouble in Colombia. Exchange rose 10,800 per cent (SIOB in paper to $1 in gold), and still shows a tendency to go up. All prices for goods are high. There is believed to be opportunity for the United States here.

The world’s greatest hydroelectric project, planned for India, will deliver water to the turbines at a pressure of <BO pounds to the square inch.

Autocracy in Russia.

War Has Hit Colombia.

Will Have Great Pressure.

SOME FAMOUS SIEGES

INVESTED TOWNS THAT LONG HELD OUT AGAINST FOE. That of Greatest Duration Was at Richmond, Which the Confederates Defended for Four Years Gibraltar’s Great Exploit. „ The defense of Liege by 30,000 Belgians against three German army corps numbering 125,000 will go down to history as one of the most brilliant feats of arms in the annals of war, says London Tit-Bits. •- The Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 was remarkable for ltS sieges. Bazaine held out at Metz against the Germans for nearly two months, and finally surrendered with 6,000 officers and 173,000 men. For this he had to submit to court-martial, and was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment- Afterward came, the siege $f Paris, which lasted six months. Thousands of shells were ralned on the city every day by the Germans, and no fewer than 40,000 of the inhabitants succumbed to disease and hunger. That lengthy sieges are quite possible even in these days of huge guns is Illustrated by Chukrl Pasha’s gallant defense of Adrianople last year for 155 days. Then there was the comparatively recent great siege of Port Arthur in the Russo-Japanese war In 1904-05, which 'finally capitulated after being blockaded by Admiral Togo for 210 days. The name of general Stoessel will rank with those of the great soldiers of modern times. In * Ottoman and Russian military history there has never been a siege like that of Plevna in 1877, when Osman Pasha defied the Russians for 144 days, and finally surrendered on December 10, with 30,000 men and 100 guns, owing to provisions and ammunition running short. In the same year Kars, long the bulwark of the Ottoman empire in Asia, was stormed by the Russians after a siege of five months. * Twenty-two years earlier the fortress had been brilliantly defended for eight months against the Russians by the Turks under General Williams, who had but 15,000 men against 50,000. Even these sieges, however, are somewhat insignificant when compared with some others. The longest siege occurred in the American Civil war, when the Confederates defended the town of Richmond for 1,485 days, or just over four years. Sebastopol, in the Crimean war, held out for 11 months, while General Gordon defended Khartum against the Sudanese for 300 days. The sieges of Ladysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking, in the South African war, lasted 120, 123 and 264 days, respectively. • There is probably, however, no siege which Britishers like to read about so much as that carried out by France and Spain in their endeavors to carry the Rock of Gibraltar, 1779-83. Altogether the siege lasted nearly four years, and, as the world knows, resulted in a complete triumph of British arms in spite of the fact that the enemy numbered 30,000 to 40,000 men, while the defenders could only muster 7,000.

European Harvest.

The American tourists were equal in value to a good harvest and this year there will be a loss to Europe. If the war continues into the season next year this loss Will be 4erious, from a European point 6f view. It is estimated that the tourists spend a thousand dollars apiece in their tour. Some go cheaper, others spend more. This year there were 120,000 in round numbers accounted for, and they probably spent more than the average, certainly if their losses on baggage and extortionate discount of travelers’ checks are counted in, for there is a stack of trunks, suit cases and satchels at Cologne piled ten feet high around the cathedral, all belonging to Americans. Over 200,000 pieces of baggage had to be abandoned in flight. If the war cuts out the touring season next year it should save at least $120,000,000 for home consumption. Americans will have a chance to see their own country. If there were small hotels with fare as good and prices as reasonable as are provided in Europe there would be many more tourists in this country at all seasons.

Promises to the Recruits.

A glance at the crowds at the recruiting office shows that there ip no need for the imaginative drawing up of advertisements of enticement to the colors, says the London Chronicle. By way of contrast one is reminded of earlier methods. Look at this appeal for young men for the light dragoons, which appeared in the Times of September, 1801: “Your pay and privileges equal two guineas a week; you are everywhere respected; your society is courted; you are admired by the fair, which, together with the chance of getting switched to a buxom widow, or brushing with a rich heiress, renders the situation truly enviable and delightful.” What young man could resist this I

Trinidad’s Oil Industry.

The oil industry of Trinidad has reached such a degree of Importance, that the admiralty has decided to investigate the possibilities of obtaining supplies there. It is reported that Professor Cadman has arrived at Port of Spain with instructions from the admiralty to make a full report on the condition of the Industry. •

TO OBTAIN MERCY

Consciousness of Sin and Unwort hioess Must Always Be the First Requisite. It is important to know how mercy may be sought so as to be found. In the familiar wdrds concerning the Pharisee and the publican, we have the way to mercy divinely pointed out The first requisite is a sense of personal guilt—“ God be merciful to me a«slnner.” Individuality, and personal accountability to- God mast be recognized before any acceptable plea for mercy can be presented. “Every man must give an account of himself to God.” “Every soul must bear Its own burden.” “There must be grief on aceount of sin. The Pharisee had no conviction of unworthiness, and, therefore, no sorrow for sin. He did not feel any need of mercy, and did not pray for it Yet he prayed. He prayed with himself, not to God, saying: “God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.” He felt himself to be “rich, Increased in goods and In need of nothing,” and to all such God. says: “I will spue thee out of my mouth.” How different with the publican! He “smote his breast,” indicating the heart as the seat of grief, on account of the consciousness of sin and unworthiness. The chief element in true repentance is a sense of the offense our sins are offering to God. There can be no “repentance toward God” until the soul feels that: “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned.”

“I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight.” True Feeling of Grief. The feeling of grief is produced In recognizing the sinfulness of sin in God’s sight, and in realizing the injury it Inflicts on ourselves and the harmful influence it exerts upon others. The publican “smote his breast” In expression of his passionate grief over his sin against God, his own soul and his fellow-man. He cried for mercy, bowing his heart in humility and shame before God. He stood afar off, denoting that he felt unworthy to draw near to the sacred precincts of the temple, and as though his presence would desecrate the holy place. His humility Is further shone In hie not lifting “up so much as his eyes unto heaven.” The Psalmist expresses this thought in the words: “My sins have taken hold of me so that I am not able to look up.” The perception of divine purity always produces a deep sense of humility In the sinner’s heart and prompts the prayer, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Mercy is the sinner’s only plea. He does not pray for justice. Weighed in the scales of Justice he must be found wanting, and has nothing to expect but punishment. Seeking for Mercy. Note that the publican had conviction of personal guilt, sorrow on account of his unworthiness and deep humility of heart. These are the conditions, for acceptable approach to God Jn prayer. Then note the object and character bf his prayer. The object was “mercy.” Its character waß brief and simpler but sincere and earnest. ' It was a very short prayer. Only seven words, hpt the longings of the soul were in them and they wsre presented in the way of God’s appointment. “He went up to the temple to pray.” He was seeking God where he is always to be found by those of “a broken add contrite heart.” Would you find mercy? Seek It as the publican did in the spirit of humility and with confession of sin, offering unto 6od the sincere and earnest supplication of the heart: “God be merciful to me, a sinner.” There was a very happy result following the publican’s going up to the temple to pray. “He went down to his house Justified." Not so with the proud Pharisee. He went away abashed. “For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exAlted.”

From a Veteran Pastor’s Payers.

Father in heaven, command thy grace in Jesus Christ on the sorrowing. Solace the bereaved and lonely. Refresh the weary. Succor the oppressed, and the tempted. Strengthen the weak. Teach us to consecrate our griefs to thee. Out of our sadness bring the fruits of nobler service. Send the tides of purity and godly power coursing through the lives of men, and the affairs of society, of business, of human government—until justice and truth shall reign unhindered throughout the world, through Jesus Christ our Lord,

Man’s Continuous Evolution.

The whole trend of modern thought, philosophical and scientific, is to bring man more and more into unity with the life of all living things, and to reveal our vital oneness with the one all-embracing Life. Man has had an organlo evolution from the earth-Use, and has steadily risen to the realm of spiritual consciousness, where an unceasing evolution is to be his divine heritage.—The Christian Register. To him nothing Is possible who is always dreaming of his past possibilities.—Carlyle. ,