Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1920 — Page 3

GOING SOME AT KRUGER’S

By FRANK A. WARD

(Copyright.) Hank looked at the monkey, jwrched on the window sill, and the monkey looked back. There matters rested. "Maybe you’re real,” he gasped, “but then — He shook his head as if. In the dim light of the single oil lamp, he could not be certain. Whistling to keep up Ills courag®, he let his weight fall in the rickety chair and picked up the pen. He paused, slanting an eye at the visitor sitting there like a graven Bud--dha. Never in his nine months at Kruger’s Crossing had he seen such a phenomenon. It frightened him. Meanwhile the creature shifted a bit on the roost. Instantly Hank robbed his eyes, and sat up with a jerk; for now two monkeys grew where one had grown before, and a swaying branch outside showed their means of entrance. For days he had been In the depths of melancholia, and the climax had come that evening when he settled down to write his letter of resignation. As to reasons for his leaving, there were several. First, ambition—not to be gratified by fifty-five dollars a month and a post in a signal-tower, placed where monotony was king and a passing tramp was an event. Second, third, fourth and all the rest, there was Mollie Carey, she of the frightened eyes and rounded face, daughter of the nearest farmer. But it was upon monkeys that the operator’s mind was busy just now and creeping each moment a. shade nearer the edge of masculine hysteria. , ‘"They’re not real, or— Ah-h-h!” A howl, slicing the silence of the night like a knife, floated in at the windows, and with it the man’s sigh was of poignant relief. "Idiot!” he exclaimed. “I might have remembered!” Three miles away and to windward the cry of the coyote arose once more, even as he had heard it on many dreary nights, recalling the wild-ani-mal farm on the hill. He knew that all kinds of queer beasts were there, living a wire-pen-ned existence till shipped to “zoo” or private estate. So often had be heard their nocturnal cries that they had become part of his lonely life. There were now three, sitting there with beady eyes which followed his movements as he walked across the little room and threw one of the signal levers. A red eye down the line winked white, and a few seconds later the monkeys huddled closer together in fear as a fast freight roared past with a shriek of the locomotive whistle. Again the animals watched the operator as he threw the lever back to danger. They were evidently keenly Interested,- for as he sat down they began an eager chattering that grew louder with each minute. Twice as he paused for reflection he put the business end of the penholder in his outraged mouth and jumped up sputtering. In the silence between the visitors grew bold. There* was a moment of excited whispering among them, then the biggest dropped to the ground. The rest followed.

“Here!” Hank yelled. “None of that, now.” But they were too quick for him. In a rush they were upon the nearest signal lever, trying their best to Imitate the man who had thrown it before. One of them, hard pressed by Hank, darted under the table, and tn a flash was tangled with the wires which ran from the telegraph instruments to the 'batteries on the floor. Fighting, clawing, swearing, the ape went free; and the -batteries, upset, sent a bluestained stream of water across the floor. As if at a signal a batch of monkeys —Hank swears there were twenty—leaped from the branch to the window ledge and thence among their brethren. ’The place was broken out with them, like the measles. They shot through the air and landed on the levers; two of them found Hank’s lunch and fled, shrieking, from his wrath. At length, with perspiration streaming into eyes already half blinded by dust, Hank stood still. A great calm descended. ■ “This,” he panted grimly, “is no place for a minister’s son.” With one despairing glance at the whirling dervishes, he darted for the stairs and went down, three steps at a Jump. At the foot he Just missed collision with a woman’s figure. “Mollie—” “Is it —it, robbers?” "Worse,” he grunted. As her speech had fled, he sketched the battle of Krueger’s Crossing, but before he was half way through the girl was laughing until her sides were aching. “¥es,” he cut in, “but how about the hades .they’re raising up Come on out !” He led her forth upon the tiny platform at the side of the tower. “Ixx>k at that!** • His finger was pointing to a semaphore to the north of the cabin. It was wabbling up and down in a helpless way which suggested an old woman sdamalina a street car.

The girl’s fine face became serious under the sunbonnet. The semaphore stopped Its waggling, and after a slight pause they heard the clflnk of one of the cross-over switches. The clamor broke out anew from the garrison in the towpr. One of the monkeys danced a war-dance on the window sill. “It’s a fine wind-up,” Hank esti-. mated, with a grin. The girl was puzzled. “What do you mean?” Tm quitting —that’s all. I wrote the bloomin’ president of their road that I’m through.” “But why?” she had to know. “Why? Because of you. We could never live on the pay I’m getting in this hole. It’s you, Mollie, dear — Oh, stop that racket, you ring-tailed baboons!” ; 1 ----- — But at that Instant came anothei sound. It was a long-drawn shriek, echoing about among the hills. “Good Lord!” Hank cried. “The G. M’s. special—and the cross-overs areHeaven knows how 1” Only one thing remained, but he was too late. Even as he turned to dash upstairs for nls lantern a third blast cut the air, apd he heard the barking roar of the engine die away. In its place was the grind of the brakes as their flanges bit the wheels. He gazed; stupefied. Suddenly he remembered those lever-throwing apes. “Saved!” he burst /ut almost hysterically. “They’ve set the signal at ‘danger’!” From one of the brightly lighted cars a knot of men jumped down and ran swiftly across the tracks. “What In the name of the Gadarene swine,” shouted the first on .the platform, “d’you mean by holding up my special? Who gave you orders?” Any awe Hank might have had for the general manager was swept from him. “Monkeys,” he answered curtly. “What!” The rest of the oflacial statement was mercifully Indistinct. He turned now to the girl for the first time. “Is the man crazy, or just plain drunk ?”..— - “Neither,” she retorted, “and if you knew what he’d gone through.for your old railroad you wouldn’t be Insulting him now!” r ' “Perhaps you would be kind enough to explain this talk about monkeys giving him his orders,” came the G. M’s. withering fire. Hank took up the burden. “You can see for yourself,” said he, “if you look at the tower.” They all looked. The whole ship’s crew of simians, attracted by the arrival of the train, had gathered In the windows, their bodies silhouetted against the light 111 the room. j “Now.” Hank, went on, “perhaps you’ll believe me. They came—three of ’em—about an, hour or so ago. I didn’t pay much attention, because I thought they’would get tired and run away. “Hold on,” broke in a gray-haired man with hard eyes. “Monkeys, young man, don’t grow in this part of the world.”

“Yes, tlrby do,” the operator patiently explained. “There’s a farm about three, miles north of here, where they keep all sorts of wild beasts. As I was saying, I didn’t mind the three until they began running about the tower and trying to throw the levers like me do. Then more of ’em dropped in. I chased ’em. One put the wires out of business, and- —” “I see,” said -the gray-haired man, whose eyes were now twinkling' a bit; “they made a monkey out of you. Well, gentlemen, we’d better drive out the foe and get the railroad In operation again. Here—all of you!—grab sticks or anything that’s handy and mount to the siege. Come on!” But at the tremendous racket of the attacking party as It climbed the stairs, the garrison, with cries of terror, broke ranks. Head over heels they piled out of windows and raced away, a medley-of waving tails and scampering feet. “My word,” sighed the president as he sank Into the only chair and held his sides. “I haven’t had so much fun since the cat came home! Hallo 1 ! What’s this?” In his hand was the operator’s letter, blotted by the tracks of monkeys which had raced across the table. Hank, trembling, and with Mollie’s hand in his own, nodded bravely as the official’s eyes bored into his. . “Resign?” snorted, the great man. His eyes, now suddenly softened, rested for a moment on the girl, who grew scarlet. “Hum! Seems to me you need a job now more than ever.” “I had another Chance, sir, with a firm in Kansas City,” Hank began, “and the pay here ig so small—” “Pay? Is that all the trouble? Here, George,” the official queried, “anything against this man’s record?” The general manager shook his head. “He’s been always well reported to me,” was his answer. “Good! What’s your name? Well, Redwood, Til seegihat you’re put on the day shift at Curzon, where the pay’s a hundred a month.” “He’ll accept, all right,” said Mollie. ■ Before Hank’s trembling lips could be shaped to offer thanks the president’s party at a word from their leader, had disappeared down the stairs. As the special gathered speed and coughed its way into the darkness, a troop of monkeys, drunk with freedom, was scaring the assorted wits out of the inmates of a farm-house three mites away. But Hank didn’t care. ; Why? He was tee busy thanking Mollie. \ .

THE

Alabaster City In Spain

* CADIZ has made up its mind to be equal to the opportunities with which the after-the-war world abounds. We shall hear of Cadiz in many ways, says The Christian Science Monitor. It has taken note of the new determination, of the northern ports such as Vigo, Bilbao, and some others, and of Oporto of the Portuguese, to make a big forward movement, and, Spain generally being in an advantageous position in the matter of maritime commerce, it conceives a more brilliant future opening out for it in the new world conditions than ever it had dreamed of. Vigo, । with the connivance of the Americans, it is understood, Is about to make a strong bid for the carrying trade with North America, and as the main port of entry into Europe from the upper half of the American continent But Cadiz has had an advantage in the past with regard to the South, and hopes not only to maintain it, but to strenghten It. She has been, in effect, a great receiving and distributing center, dealing with the South American states, and spreading the goods she received over Portugal and all Spain. She has flourished, and she has done well by herself in every way. But with Cadiz as with practically every other place in ( Spain, there has in modern times been a decline and a recovery. It is believed now that the recovery will be great The New Movements. Cadiz starts the new period with a fine new equipment in the matter of her harbor. The new Reina Victoria quay will astonish the commercial men and travelers who go there after a long absence. The San Felipe breakwater has been extended, and there have been dredging and widening operations, so that capacity and accommodation are now much greater than they used to be. Big liners may now berth themselves well, and as soon as they are hitched up they will find the newest electric traveling cranes and all the most up-to-date port appliances in operation. So Cadiz bids the traders come, and with Vigo, Seville, Bilbao and Barcelona it helps Spain to make a new challenge to the wortd in maritime matters, and this certainly does. No country has such a fine seaboard and one so advantageously situated. The Spaniards have thought of the maritime possibilities of their country before now, but they are thinking of it intensely in the new condition of the world economics. Already far more ships are calling at Cadiz than before the peace—though these mere callers do not amount to much. In the old prewar days the Hamburgh American line established a regular monthly service from there to Pernambuco, Bahia, Rio de Janeiro and Santos ; one or two French passenger lines were making regular use of the port, and the English boats did so regularly. The war Interfered naturally with most of these services, but now they are being resumed. Should Be Approached From Sea. While In these present days and hours economics are everything, and other things seem secondary, it is always hard to talk and write of Cadiz in the purely materialistic way. She has splendid harbor facilities, perfect opportunities for trade. -About her streets and places there is a hustling, businesslike look. Like all commercial businesslike ports she has a smart up-to-date appearance. There Is something about Cadiz which reminds one of Genoa. She is different from all other Spanish cities, even the ports,- for she is smarter than Malaga, and not so tinged with American and French as is the marvelous Bilbao. But there is something more about, Cadiz—there Is her really lovely appearance when she is approached from the sea. Just ar one should always, if possible, be in a particular mood for the complete enjoyment of certain experiences, so one should always approach

G REPUBLICAN,

A Street in Cadiz.

particular cities In a certain way and the poorest way of all to approach almost any city is by train. Never go to Cadiz by rail. Better far, if you are in mid-Spain and must use the roads or the tedious ferrocarll, go to Seville or over to Tangier in Africa-and make one of those little voyages that are regularly available, in order to come upon Cadiz by way of the sea. It is generally acknowledged that there is no other sea approach in the world that is so beautiful as this. - Cadiz at such times and in such circumstances is a glorious picture in white and blue. She rises up from the sea on a small platform of limestone rock which only a very narrow isthmus holds to the mainland. In a majestic silver beauty the houses with their azoteas, or flat roofs, seem to rise like a fairy city above the deep blue of the sea, their miradores or view towers surmounting them. All are heavily coated with whitewash frequently renewed. Always White and Clean. Thus the city is always white, quite smokeless, and is kept spotlessly clean. .It glistens in the sun against the blue Andalusian sky, with waters lapping it nearly all around. The poets and the descriptive writers have almost exhausted themselves in their use of fine adjectives to describe its beauty and yet they feel they have failed. Spaniards call it their “tazita de plata,” or silver dish; some of them say it is more like a “palaclo de plata” beautifully chased, and from another aspect they liken it to a great alabaster ship floating out upon the waters. No terms are too strong in which to .speak of Cadiz thus seen from the sea, for she is indeed very beautiful, veritably “a white pearl set in a crown of and emeralds.”

RENSSELAER. UN

The interior of no city could completely match such an outside view, but yet Cadiz, within, is good and pleasant also, and is always extremely clean. But It is a very practical place, and though it has its cathedral with a spire rising over all, it has little in the way of art —one of the oldest cities of Spain though it be —to attract the visitors who need it for their lingering at any place. It is a place to wonder at, to tarry at for but a little while, and then to leave, knowing it full well to be unforgettable. But in the new days of traveling that are beginning, no person who wanders toward the south of Spain should, through neglect, miss seeing Cadiz from the water. It will live in his memory when he has forgotten many pictures. It will hold its place in his esteem evert when he comes face to face with the incomparable Bay of Naples.

Few Saw Historic Act.

When the great seal of the French republic was affixed to the peace treaty, thereby validating the signatures of President Poincare and M. Louis Nall, minister of justice and keeper of the great seal, only a few privileged high officials attended. The seal, somewhat larger in size than a silver dollar, shows on one side the seated figure of the republic with the inscription, “French Republic, Democratic, One and Indivisible.” On the other side are the words, “In the Name of the French Republic,” surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves encircled by the republican device, “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.” The seal is Imprinted by means of a handworked stamping machine, nsembllng a letter copying press. ~ 0 — ' f -

Booming Japanese Commerce.

Among recent instances of government help to Japanese commerce in of commercial museums as headquarter* for Japanese trade. The museum located at Singapore will aid in the development of trade in the South seas; that at Martin will serve Mannhnrla Mon arolia and Siberia.

Simple Designs for New Frocks

As a violent reaction, clothes became widely extravagant almost as soon as the war was over. There were a few months of readjustment, while dressmakers were getting their establishments back into normal working condition; but this period was sui* prlsingly brief. No sooner was this done, even in a limited way, than the market became flooded with an avalanche of clothes, as extravagant as any that the world has ever seen. Now we are experiencing a reverse reaction, observes a prominent fashion correspondent. While It cannot be claimed that our frocks are any less expensive than they were six months ago, they are a great deal simpler In design. There is no mistaking the Indication that women want all of their dresses built on the simplest and most youthful lines, and that they will pay more for a dress of this character than one elaborated with applied trimmings. Season Calls for Pretty Clothes. We tire, in time, of all our clothes, and now is the time when we es■peclaHyTe3~tfie~heed of something fresh and different. Then, at this season, we have so many more social engagements that we like to have a great variety of pretty clothes in which to appear. In both the early and late autumn this need was filled by one-piece cloth dresses and beautiful furs. Later, these * frocks were topped by coats of either cloth or fur. Now, we feel the need of a suit that Is completed by some sort of an attractive blouse, unusual enough to make the costume something quite different from the old-fashioned coat and skirt. A suit, by Doeuillet, was created to fill this need.. Its arrival may be the most popular suit that this famous house has launched for the winter. The strong one-side move-' mcnt and the long coat are its features. The portion which laps across the front, buttoning under the left arm, to give a semi-belted appearance, is cut in one piece with the right front of the jacket. The color combination worked out in this is remarkably pleasing. Copper brown velours de lalne ,1s the material selected for it. The tendency in tailored suits is toward the use of pronounced colors. The erstwhile popular dark blns is, for the moment, neglected. Much of this Is doubtless due to the fact that in rough wool pile fabrics dark blue is the least attractive of all shades. There must be some changing depth to the color tone to bring out the beauty of the fabric; hence, browns and greens are chosen in preference to blue or black. The vest and collar are of broadtail fur, although it has been made wdth these trimmings of the heavy

Tailored Suit of Brown Duvetyn, With Jacket Showing Yoke Effect and Skirt Having an Overhanging Panel at Front

plush which is often substituted for fur this season. * While the broadtail is decidedly more luxurious, the plush Is most economical, and has the advantage Of being equally fashionable. Poeulllet completes his costume with a smart bodice of black satin, embroidered in copper color. This makes the suit beautiful and practical. Taffeta Dresses Midwinter Favorites. It Is surprising to And taffeta dresses meeting with continued success in the midwinter season. Those - . r ♦

who look ahead in fashions will see in this indications of a considerable use of this fabric for spring. We have come to think of it as such a practical material that it never has had the attention that it deserved from the artistic standpoint. It was always featured in evening gowns for members

Suit of Copper Velours de Laine, Affords an Outfit Quite Different From Old-Fashioned Coat and Skirt Suit.

of the younger set, but we rarely saw it in handsome daytime frocks, as for some reason or other is has come to be considered a somewhat informal material. Now our greatest designers have taken it up and are exploiting Jt in a way that makes everybody wonder why we did not realize its possibilities before. Taffeta Popular With Designers. Probably the puffy skirts’ of thia autumn gave It the first boost toward success for it does come into prominence whenever we have a wider silhouette, due to the fact that its stiffness makes it suitable to these designs. Now those who make dresses are using it for straight-line models which wrap about the figure. Of course it is not a fabric which lends Itself to a long-line drapery with any degree of grace, but it could not be surpassed by any other material for short, puffy drapery. Lanvin especially has had great suet •cess with her taffeta dresses. Sha makes them with and without embroidery. Black and navy blue are the colors most in demand in taffeta. — This winter hats have reflected the uncertainty of the silhouette. There has been a war between the dress with the puffy hips and the one of slender lines and the question of a choice between the two has had an important bearing on all fashions. As both these types were worn, it was natural that there should be both large and small hats as well as those that were plain and those greatly trimmed. We always see the full skirt accompanied by a rather large hat of picturesque shape, which is topped by trimming of a fussy character; while the stralght-llne dress has in its wake the small hat Fur toqdes are fashionable bits of headwear for this midwinter. Please Southern Visitors. Those going South are beginning to think more of springlike things, and for them quite summery-looking hats are already making their appearance. Glazed chintz and cretonnes are featured In some of them. We have had "chintz and cretonne hats for the country in other summers, but the glazed, or shellacked chintz, has not been used before, n is indefinitely more practical than the ordinary chintz, as it sheds the dust easily and may be wiped off with • damp cloth. Then, if one Is caught in the rain with one of these sum-mery-looking hats on, there is no fpal of its turning into a bedraggled mass of cloth, for even a rubber rain hat could shed a downpour no better. j Quite a remarkable trimming ap» pears on the glazed chintz hats. It is a fringe of straw. Although may nA be going South it is a vW#; good idea to get some, of these for they are most attractive and 11 the hurry of getting ready Tor al exodus from town in the spring It is not always easy to find just one wants in country bate.