Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 October 1885 — Page 3

by Special A eranamn^mt. —Copyripkfd 1885. F. M„ M. D. A Story by Thomas W. Knox. ‘‘One month from to-day,” said Kate. “It will be a long’ month for me,” I replied, *but then it is February and we are not-in leapyear.” Her rosy lips parted just the least in the world as she retorted. “A long month for you! And don't yon think it will be just as for me?’’ “Os course it will, my darling,” I answered; “you hare a month to wait and so hare L Just light weeks for the two of us, and I’m sure we shall both think we’ve waited forty weeks at least.” A few minutes later I said “good night” and turned away from the front gate of her father’s house. The gate had been between us for several minutes; somehow it often happened that we exchanged our evening farewells at this spot, especially when the sky was clear and the stars winked their approval. It may be surmised that we were fixing the date of a very important event in our lives. The surmise would be entirely in accordance with the facts in the case. Kate was to be my bride in four weeks from that time. She was the daughter of an old friend of my father, and I bad known her from shildhood. I was in love with her for years, but didn’t know it until I was eent away to college And found out how much I missed seeing her. When I finished my studies and receveJ my diploma as a full-fledged doctor of medicine, I ventured to open my heart to her. A comparison of notes and emotions showed that there had been a reciprocity of feeling—she was in love with me, and had been all along. In this state of affairs nothing was more natural than that we should become engaged, and as we were both poor and without fame, there was no reason why we should fail to keep the engagement. Rich people find many stumbling blocks on the road to matrimony, but it is otherwise with those who haven’t a dollar, nor no immediate prospect of one. They can do as they like. As we liked and loved each other, I asked Kate to name the day and she named it. I went home a happy man, and would have been unwilling to change places with the Governor of the State or the Emperor of China. Four weeks later 1 should be married to the girl of my heart and there would be something in life worth living for. Meantime, I must look around and determine what to do. I was alone in the world; had fought my way through college and the medical school; had a few dollars in my pocket and none in the bank; possessed two or three dozen books, a small wardrobe and a •tout heart; also, a clear conscience and the broad parchment which confirmed my right to the title of M. D. Books, clothing, heart and conscience were good things to have, and so was the diploma. I unfolded it when I reached my room and contemplated the Latin phraseology and the signatures of the professors with feelings of respect and esteem, for myself as well as for it and them. Kingsville was a rural township of about 2,000 inhabitants, scattered over an area of ten or twelve square miles. The post village in the center was known as Kingsville Plain, probably because it was in the valley and close by the shore of a small lake which generaly presented a plain surface. Sometimes the sharp winds from over the hills and far away roughened the water and rolled a miniature surf upon the little sandy beach which was shaded by some old pines, and here and there a weatherbeaten oak. The village was not altogether regular in construction. As you climbed the hill and looked at the assemblage of dwellings it seemed as if they bad been dropped down in a Colossal handful from the sky and were left all tiggledy piggledy where they fell. About half (these houses had realized that such order was lisorderly and had made an effort to arrange themselves in a double line and thus form a Street. The result of this struggle was like that of a company of raw militia on training day; the line was considerably out of line, but then it showed a good intention and was to be commended. The other half of the houses remained where they fell, and were scattered with the irregularity of bricks from an overturned cart. Some hud their front yards in the rear, and some of the front doors were closed altogether and nailed up because there was no way of reaching them from the street. But the houses were all comfortable enough inside, and when you were seated before their cheerful fires it made little difference to you whether the dwelling was on the street or off on its own hook. Foe, ii did make a difference. Kate lived in one of the straggling houses, and I thought it more attractive than any of the prim and orderly residences that bad taken so much trouble to* stand themselves in a row. My parents had died some years before the time of which I write. My father left a few thousands dollars to be divided among several children. I made use of my share to procure my education, and managed, by teaching school in winter and coaching a few wealthy students at college, to launch myself on the w’orld without any debts. At the time I proposed to Kate and was accepted our dual possessions, when set down and footed np, left very little to carry: in fact the united total formed an exceedingly light burden. My diploma was the most important item, and I laid it away with great care. I determined to start in medical practice then and there. Next morning 1 invested two of my remaining dollar? in a sign, irreverently denominated a “shingle.” It bore my name in large capitals, “Frederick Morton, M. D.," and I contemplated it, when finished, with feelines akin to those with which I had regarded the diploma As somebody has phrased it, “I shook hands with myself,” by way of congratulation. I hired a room suitable for an office, placed ray sign where it could be seen of men, and then stood awhile on the other side of the street to observe the effect Several persons passed without noticing the addition to the mural ornamentation of Kingsville. I began to feel blue around the corners of my mouth, when two men emerged from the tavern and proceeded up the sidewalk, One of them caught sight of my shingle and directed his friend’s attention to it. “Frederick Morton, M. D.,” said the latter •lowly, “another pill.” “Audin large gold letters, too,” said the other “I’m afraid the gilding is worth more than the pill.” This was not a satisfactory beginning for my professional careet. I observed carefully the faco of the maker of this heartless joke, with .n earnest hope that fate would some time throw him into my hands for treatment. Thus •ould I be revenged. Then I sought Charley Bliss, an old friend of my boj hood. We had grown somewhat apart in later years, as Charley had been to Caiifornia and made some money, while I was attending to my studies; he cared nothing for medicine or anything else that had mental work about it, and I knew very little of the mutters in which he was interested. I told him of my “setting up as a doctor," and took him around to my office, where he laughed, rather rudely I thought, at the joke about the gilded pill. He didn’t think I had dona wisely in trying rfiy luck in my native town, and quoted the scriptural phrase ♦bout the prophet without honor in his own country. “Tell you what. Fred,” said he. "go to California with me and start ito anew land. Find a good place in the mines, where they've plenty of gold and each man carries a revolver and a bowie knife. Splendid spot for all kinds of practice; you ran charge high for vour services, and if times are as good as when I left., there’ll ► * >e anew bullet wound to dress every day. Come * along, and don’t think of stopping here. Kings oille’s altogether too heulthy and peaceful for a •loctor to succeed in.” 1 wanted to tell him of my engagement, but aomehow I hesitated, as I knew Charley had practical notions and would ridicule the posses sion of a bird without the cage to contain it. No I kept silence on the subject. an<l we talked of other matters till he left for his dinner and I was shortly called to mine. From a medical point of view Kingsville was pot a desirable spot. The air and water were -pure, and likewise the morals; the people were ,-iober and industrious, and, consequently, good tealth was monotonous in its prevalence. Dur mg my first week not a single patient of any jtiiid came to me, and on the second my practice

was confined to the extraction of a decayed molar for a man who refused to pay me because I brought away a piece of the jaw with the tooth. He left the extracted goods as ray reward, but as it was very unlikely that anyone would wish to purehsse a second-hand tooth I could not see any prospect of turning my labors into cash. In the beginning of the third week matters improved a little in appearance. A well-to-do citizen was taken ill with a fever, I knew he had spoken appprovingly of me, and the thought arose that he had caught the fever on purpose to give me a case. But he was only a fair-weather friend as it turned, a friend for prosperity aione. He used to hope I would do well, said he remembered my father, and once voted in his favor as town supervisor. In fact, he said so much that I set him down as a true man of the kind that is said to adhere to you in sickness as in health. But he wasn’t. When sickness came upon him he sent for old Doctor Bassett, and said he couldn’t trust himself in the hands of a youth without experience. How could he expect me to have experience without practice? Wasn’t it his duty, as a friend and well wisher, to give me a chance to show my medical knowledge or the lack of it. While I was meditating upon the ingratitude of man, and mentally calling the well-to-do citizen a variety of hard names, there was a knock at the door of my office. In compliance with my prompt “come in,” there entered a sharp-featured stranger, who uttered a hurried “good morning,” and dropped into the chair to which I invited him. He came to business while nestling and twisting rather uneasily. “Are you Dr. Morton?” I nodded assent. “Young doctor, I see.” Again I nodded. “Would like a good thing, I suppose?” •I smiled as I made verbal acknowledgment of my youth and my willingness to engage in any good thing. “Well,” said he, “I can let you into something that will pay. And all straight and above board.” I intimated that I desired nothing that would be otherwise than honorable. “That’s right, that’s right,” continued my visitor; “a man never makes anythine by going on a crooked road when there’s a straight one alongside of it. Be sure s'ou’re right, then go ahead, and don’t fear anybody. That’s my motto. Now, here’s what I’ve got to say and show.” He drew from big pocket and handed to me a small box of tin, of the Kind used by druggists for the reception of ointment or pills. I examined the parcel, and found that it purported to contain “malarial pills” made by somebody whose name was new to me. No doubt there was an expression of wonderment on my face as the stranger continued his talk, without waiting for me to ask a question. “You know,” said he, "there’s anew disease out in the last few yeurs, or rather there’s a eeneral name for a dozen things all at once. W T hen you doctors don't know what's the matter with a man you call it ‘malaria.’” 1 made no sign of assent or the reverse other than a smile, but allowed him to go on. “Now, them pills are just the thing for malaria. I make ’em myself; nothing butflour and honey, ’pon my word. They do lots of good and can't possibly do harm.” “You are certainly right in the latter proposition.” I remarked quietly. “Certainly, certainly,” was the response. “Now,” he continued, “there's to be a convention here next week, as you know, and I want to work off 500 boxes of these pills ou it. While the convention is going on I’ll have a boy put some pepper or other harmless stuff on the stove that’ll give everybody a headache; I’ll be around with the pills; you can say its malaria and the pills will cure it; they’ll buy 'em and we’ll share the profits. Perfectly honorable transaction, as everybody'll get well right off and you won’t have anything to do with the boy who fixes the stove. ” I made no answer beyond indicating with rov index finger the position of the door. He took the hint, and departed. To keep Kate in good spirits, and particularly to encourage the family, I hired a small boy to come for me now and then with a request to go to see someone who was in urgent need of medical aid. Sometimes his messages were verbal, and sometimes in writing (previously scribbled by myself), and I always at once when summoned. My darling shared by professional zeal. No matter what tender love passages might be in utterance at the moment, or how closely our hands might be clasped, she always rose at the call and assumed an attitude worthy of the mother of the Gracchi "Go, Fred,” she would say, “and relieve suffering humanity. Be as quick as you can, and when you come back throw a pebble against the parlor window, and I’ll come to the door without troubling the old folks.” I generally returned in about half an hour, and was admitted on the prearranged signal. Kate was inclined to be inquisitive concerning ray patients, but I threw out a hint about “professional secrecy,” and the subject was dropped by mutual consent My boy did well in summoning me from the house of my beloved and giving me a good reputation there. I ventured a step further, and on the Saturday which ended the second week of my “practice” I summoned him. “David,” said I, as I dropped a dime into a hand, which bore many traces of alluvium, “to morrow I want you to come to the church. Speak to the sexton and tell him I’m wanted.” “Yes, sir.” “Aud David, if the choir is singing when you come, wait till they are through and the minister has beeun preaching.” “Yes, sir.” “That’s all to-night, David; you can go.” “Yes, sir.” Next morning while the choir was singine “Coronation” and had Dearly reached the last stanza, I Raw David walk up the aisle to the pulpit and whisper to the minister. The good man listened, and then pointed in my direction. The boy came to me and nodded, and I went out just as the congregation was nestling down at the end of the hymn. I lost a portion of the intended effect. It was the fault of the boy and partly of the sexton, the latter having absented himself from his place- David was zealous, and not finding the sexton, he concluded that the best thing was to speak to the clergyman. Once a friend of mine came to grief through the stupidity of his messenger or rather of his substitute. The regular youth had gone on a fishing excursion on that particular Sunday and engaged a comrade to deliver the summons. About the time the parson had reached “thirdly” the new boy walked into church and up to the young doctor's pew. Then, with ragged cap in hand, he said: “Please, Dr. Tonner, Jimmy Barney eavs you wants to be called out o’ church when the minister’s preachin’, and I’ve come for you cos Jimmy’s gone a fishin’.” Three weeks of the four were gone and no practice. Charley Bliss dropped in to see me occasionally, and we talked about old times, new times and coming times, though somehow I couldn’t venture to tel) him of ray approaching marriage. We went one afternoon for a row on the lake. While we were on the water one of the thole pins cave way and a uew one was wanted. Some pins were lying under the seat and I speedily fished them out; they were too large but I whittled oue of them down and fitted it to its place. The knife was a large one which I bought of a strolling pedr.ler while at college. It frequently lay on the desk in my office, and one day 1 scratched my initials on the handle without forgetting the professional honors. “F. M., M. D " was the result of my labors with the point of a scalpel which served as an engraving tool. . Somebody came in while I was at work upon it, and wanted my opinion concerning a bottle of cough-mixture he had just bought. I was civil, polite even, hut as be offered no fee I did not suspend operations during his visit. While I was adjusting the thole pin the knife slipped from my hand and went down to the bottom of the lake. As the water was about sixty feet deep, I did not think it worth my while to follow the specimen of Sheffield’s industry in the hope of recovering it. Had I known the future importance of that knife, I might have risked a dive or two. That evening 1 was at Kate’s side. David was instructed not to call me out. und so our tete-n. tete was uninterrupted until it was time for me to go home. Just before wo separated at the gate she referred to the approaching event and added: “I'm real glad, Fred, you’re getting into so good a practice, and we shall have something to start with in housekeeping. What a pity Mr Brown did not send for you instead of Dr. Bassett.” Mr. Brown was the well to do citizen who wouldn’t let me experiment with his fever. “Never mind Mr. Brown," I answered, “I’ll have a good fee out of him yet,” and with that I made my adieu aud departed. Kate paused the next day and evening at her

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1885.

aunt's, and so I had nothing to do when the shades of night fell. I took a moonlight stroll around the lake and among the hills, and it was after midnight when X came home aud went to bed. Next morning, when the sun was done tinging the hill-tops above the village, and was mounting into the sky, I was roused by a knocking at the door. I did not rise with alacrity, and was not in the best of temper as I stepped into my clothes and prepared to see my visitor. 1 arn sure I presented an unamiable appearance, and was not as calm as was my wont. I was dreaming of Kate at the moment I was awakened, and it wasn’t pleasant to be summoned thus to the sober realities of life. The man wanted something for a child suffering from an overdose of plum-pudding. I gave him a simple remedy, and received my first fee, half a dollar, which included the medicine. I unlocked my desk in search of some paper in which to wrap the medicine. Something green and foiled lay there, but I did not observe it particularly, as I was not fully awake, and the desk was in a dark corner. I had been experimenting with litmus pa.per and acids, and presumed, if I presumed anything, that this was one of the slips I had dipped in some coloring liquid and reserved for future use and examination. • When my patron had gone I returned to bed, to sleep, perchance to dream. Aad in that sleep what dreams may (and did) come. Half an hour after I was again aroused, and this time three men entered, one of them being my late customer. “Success has come at last,” I remarked to myself. “An epidemic of plum-pudding has broken out among the children, and I shall be prosperous and happy.” “Dr. Morton,” said one of the strangers, “this is a very serious case.” “Quite likely," I answered, “but not at all dangerous. What are the symptoms? ’ “You probably know yourself.” “Is it the same cas??’’ I asked, as I turned to him who had waked and called me early. The three exchanged giances, and then one of them said it was. “Has there been any alarming development?” was my next query. “Rather, especially for you,” was the response. “What is the matter?” I asked. “Explain yourself.” “This is the matter, said one of the trio, and as he spoke he advanced to my desk. I had left the key in the lock when I wrapped up the medicine for my fifty-cent customer and it was still there. The stranger laid his hand upon the key and I sprang forward. “Stop, sir,” I shouted. “What do you mean by opneing my desk without permission?” “I want to see what is in it.” “Not unless I choose,” was my angry response. “Well, what have you there?” “It is none of your business what I have.” “It is my business, and vou had better tell me.” I ordered the men to leave my office instantly, and used some sharp words in giving expression to my wishes. They did not go, but listened with a strange sort of patience to what I had to say. After a time I cooled a little and sat down and told them there was nothing in the desk except a few scraps of paper, half a dozen letters and some of the instruments and medicines that formed mv stock in trade. “Is there any money there?” said the man who had spoken. “Money! Certainly not.” I answered, and I laughed at the idea. “What little money I have is here.” and I exhibited a pocket book so thin as to suggest experiments in a rolling mill. With an air of triumph I returned my pocketbook to its place and tolu my visitors they pad better go. As they declined to do so I became sarcastic and quizzed them about the weather or anything else that occurred to me. In this way perhaps half an hour was passed when there was another knock, and the door was opened by one of my visitors. A fourth man entered and presented a paper. It was a warrant for my arrest! While I stood fairly dumb with astonishment one of the men opened my desk and called the others and myself to observe that two national bank notes of SIOO each were lying among the letters and paper scraps. I was led away to the office of the magistrate who had issued the warrant and there learned the reason of my-arrest. The case was so strong against me that J was committed at once; the grand jury was in session, and they promptly found an indictment aguiust me and I was ordered to trial. This was the showing against me: People retire early at Kingsville and you rarely see a light burning there after 11 o’clock. About 11.30 on the night before my arrest one of Mr. Brown’s sons heard a sficht noise in the kitchen; going to a window which overlooked the kitchen he saw a man leave the door and dart into the shadow of the trees near by. The son alarmed the household and it was found that a bureau in the paternal Brown’s bedroom bad been opened and several articles stolen, the most important being two national bank notes of SIOO each. Eariy in the morning the news of the robbery was circulated. Suspicion did not fall upon any one until the man who called upon me to prescribe for the pudding surfeited child (the case was genuine) happened to mention what he knew. He stood by my desk as I prepared tho medicine; and when I opened it in search of a piece of wrapping paper his eye rested on a bank note of a hundred dollars. He thought it very odd that a young doctor should have a bill of that denomination, and when he heard of the robbery be naturally mentioned what he had seen. The bureau had evidently been forced open with a strong knife or some similar implement. Soon after my patron had told his story a boy found a knife under the trees where the" robber was seen to go by young Brown. It was a large-sized clasp-knife and bore the initials “F. M., M. D.” The warrant for my arrest was sought at once, and while one man went to the magistrate to obtain it the three came to my office as 1 have narrated. The officious individual was one of the town supervisors. I protested my innocence, but to no purpose. Circumstances were too much against me. I engaged a young lawyer to defend me and convinced him that my story was true, though it required some time for me to do so. Besides my lawyer. Kate was the on’y person in ail Kingsville who did not believe me guilty. She, poor girl, was in the deepest grief. Her father refused to allow her to visit me in jail, but Bently, my lawyer, called upon her and brought me some comforting messages. She wrote .me daily, encouraging me to hope that all would be explained and I would be triumphantly vindicated. The day of the trial came. The court room was crowded to its utmost capacity, as the case had acquired much local celebrity, and everybody was anxious to see the young doctor who had suddenly become a burglar. Commeuts on ray appearance wore unfavorable, and it was surprising how niany people could read “crime” in my face. I should have 'thought myself a rascal if I had not poesesfak good reasons for believing I was nothing of the sort. The prosecuting attorney had a strong case, and presented it with skill. All the following chain of evidence was wrought by the aid of the witnesses against me, and each link was thoroughly forged: The commission of the burglary: the stolen money—two bills of SIOO each—found in my desk after 1 had denied that any money was there. Also, my inability to account in any way for the possession of the cash. My return home after midnight, and my excited and nervous condition in the morning. The knife found under the trees and bearing ray initials. The blade fitted exactly to ceitain roarKs in the bureau. I was known to possess such a knife, and to have engraved the initials upon its handle. The fact, proven by the boy David, that the calls from church and from Kate’s residence were ordered by me, and that I had no practice whatever. Less than thirty hoars before the robbery I was overheard to say to Kate, on bidding her good night, that I would yet have a handsome fee out of Mr. Brown. In rebuttal I could do very little. I had been alone in mvstro.il on that momentous evening, and therefore could not prove an alibi. Charley Bliss had gone, and I had no witness to prove that I dropped my kuife into the lake when we were boating together; he left on an early train on the morning after the robU ry, and nobody could tell where he could be found. I could not account for the possession of the mouey, and all that had been stated by the witnesses as to my conduct and words and the fictitious nature of my practice was true. The prosecuting attorney summed up the evidence and dwelt with ereat force upon each and every point of the evidence. He reserved that of toe knife to the last, and while he was delineating the weapon so that I saw it before me far

more palpably tliau Macbeth beheld the airdrawn dagger, there was a commotion in the court-room. A rough and unkempt man came forward and spoke to my counsel; the latter sprang to his feet, and after apologising to the court and the district attorney for the interruption. asked permission to present an important witness who had just been discovered, lhe permission was given, and the rough stranger was put upon the stand and sworn. He gave the name of Moses Dawson, but averred that he was generally known as Mose. When asked what he knew about the care he said: “I guess I know a good deal about it Let me see that ’ere knife.” The knife was placed in his hands and he examined it carefully before speaking. For fully two minutes he turned it slowly in his hands, while the stillness of the room was like that of the solitudes of the forest. “This ’ere knife," said he, “if you’ll let me tell my story straight, doesn't belong to this young doctor at all, and never did.” “Whose is it?” “That’s what I’m coming to. Three years aeo Frank Marden and me bought that knife when we was going out hunting together. We couldn’t divide our shares, yer see, aud so we agreed that one of us should have it a year, and then t’other, and so we’d have it long’s the knife lasted. We tossed a cent for choice. Frank got the first, I had the next, and now it’s Frank s year agin. “We marked it so’s we’d know it, and when Frank got the toss he put his name on it first. There’s his letters, *F. M.,’ and there’s mine, *M. D.,’right after it. That mark there was where the brad awl slipped when I was seratchin’ in the ‘M.’ Call Bill Jones. He can tell yer what I’ve said is true.” The audience remained perfectly still till he paused, aud then a loud cheer went up, which all the efforts of the officers could not repress, and I don’t believe they tried very hard. - Dawson’s cross-examination did not weaken his story in the least, and it was confirmed by the evidence of Jones. Light was breaking through the dark cloud. Stronger and stronger grew the light when Charley Bliss entered the court-room, advanced to the witness-stand and asked to he sworn. He had heard o? my approaching marriage from a friend to whom Kate’s mother had confided the intelligence. Knowing I was without money, he went to see me on that evening to offer a loan which would start the new couple on the matrimonial road. Not finding me' at home, he entered the office through one of th? windows—l had shown him how to raise it—aiu slipped the money into my desk through a crevice in the lid. He thought I would be greatly surpt "sed wheu I discovered it there; that he was entirely correct in his supposition nobody can doubt. As before stated, he had ieft the town early next morning, before the fact of the robbery had become known. In the city he met a friend who per suaded him to take a trip to Chicago, and he knew nothing of the burglary and my consequent troubles untii he returned just in time to testify in my behalf. As he was leaving the stand a telegram was handed to the district attorney, who hastily perused the missive and then read it aloud to the court. It was from the chief of police of a city in a neighboring State, and ran as follows: “Frank Marden. arrested for gross intoxication and assault, has confessed the burglary of Brown’s house and theft of S2OO. Shall wo hold him for requisition? Answer.” The sunlight streamed through the windows and the cloud was gone. Perhaps its misty folds had condensed and fallen upon the faces of those in the court-room. Certainly there were salty rivulets coursing down many cheeks. “I submit the case.’ said the district attorney with a choking voice that left a long hyphen at the end of every'syllable of that brief phrase. • “No charge to the jury is necessary,” said the gray-haired judge, with quite as many hyphens in his enunciation. They seemed to adhere to his husky throat and require a great effort for their expulsion. In another minute I was free. No, not free, exactly, for I was clasped in Kate’s arms and she in mine. Judge, jury and counsel were ail around me with and *the great, crowded room seemed to be whirling iike a kaleidoscope. I remark that the kaleidoscope contained brighter colors than are usually observed in that scientific toy. We were married in church on the following Sunday, I warned David in the morning that he needn't call me out during the service. Mr. Brown sent me a check for S2OO, and thus fulfilled my prediction that he would yet pay me a handsome fee. He did more than that; be became a confirmed invalid and intrusted me with his case, and he persuaded Dr. Bassett to take tne into partisanship ftr two years and surrender his practice to me at the end "of that time. And to-day there isn’t a happier man in all Kingsville than your humble servant, F. M., M. D. HUMOR OF THE DAY. Secrets of the Household. New York Tints-s. “Will you have a piece of the pie, Mr Goodman?’’ asked Bobby’s mother of the minister. “Thanks; no,” he replied. “Will you, Bobby?” she inquired. “N-no, I guess not,” said Bobby, rather hesitatingly. The minister looked at Bobby in surprise. “I thought all little hoys were fond of pie,” he said. “They are,” replied Bobby. “I could eat that hull pie; hut ma said if you didn’t take any I mustn’t, an' she’d save it for to-morrow. ” Mistook the Occasion. New York Times. Clerk (to proprietor)—“What is the selling price of that new lot of black silk opened this morning? Mrs. S. wants to Know.” Proprietor—“ Mrs. S. is a nuisance. She always complains about the price of goods, and vet buys. Tell her $1.50 a vard. It cost $2.” Clerk (to Mrs. S.) —“One dollar and a half a yard, madam.” Mrs. S. (feeling of the silk) —“It seems high at $1 50. Howe\er, you may cut me off twentytwo yards.” Contingencies. New York Sun. A teacher in a West Virginia freedman’s school was giving out some original examples to the class in mathematics, and among them w’as this: “If a colored man receives $1 for one dav’s work, how many dollars will he receive <or six davs' work?” One of the boys seemed very stupid over it, and the teacher finally said: “Moses, how many are six times one?” “What, does he work all tho week?” queried the boy. “Os course.” “Oh! Why. I was figgerin’ dafc a circus or a barbecue might come ’long on Saturday.” Would Not Desert Him, Atlanta Constitution. Uncle Dora is a strict member of the Baptist Church, hut yet he has a hankering after fat turkeys and chickens. During the dark nights, not long ago, the old man hooked a tine gobbler from his old mistress, and had had a feast. The next day he hobbled into the big house and said: “Miss Jane, I’se dun choppin’ dat kindlin’ wood, and I would like ter go ter church ternight.” “Isom, you want to go to church after stealing my turkey last night?” replied old mistress. The old man scratched his head a moment, and said: “Miss Jane, dus yer think I'se gwine to desnrt my blessed Jesus for de sake of dat ole turkey? No, deed, I ain’t ” Wanted a Piece of String, St. Paul Perald. “Your beau seems very bashful,” said a Day-ton-avenue mamma to her daughter. “Bashful!” echoed the daughter; “bashful’s no name for it.” “Why don’t you encourage him a little more? Some men have to be taught how to do their courting. He’s a good catch.” “Encourage him!” said the daughter. “He cannot take the most palpable hint. Why, only lust night, when I sat alone on the sofa, and he perched away up in a chair as far away as he could get. I asked him if he didn’t think it strange that a man’s arm and a woman’s waist seemed always to be the same length, and what do you think he didl” “Why, just what any sensible man would have done—tried it." “He asked me if I could find a piece of string, so we could measure aud see if it was ao Aiu’t he horridP

THE PUZZLE DEPARTMENT. [Everything relating to this department most be addresse to W. H. Graffam, West Scarborough. Cumberland county, Maine. Original contributions and answers to each week’s puzzles are solicited from all.] Answers to Puzzles. No. 1700—Pears. No. 1701—1. Francis. 2. William. 3. Abraham. 4. Richard. - No. 1702 ACID CERE IRIS % DESK No. 1703—1. Shalo, leash. 2. sever. 3. Sector, corset. 4. Latin, stain. 5. Range, anger. 6. Marten, rament. No. 1704- QUITO UNDER IDEAL TEASE ORL E T No. 1705—Steam. Original Puzzles. NO. 1721— A CBOSS, o o o o o o o o o 000000000 000000000, 000000000 •o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 000 o o 000 o o 000 o o Across—l. Crime. 2. A unit. 3. One. 4. Congruous. 5. To swell. 6. Pertaining to the back part of the head. 7. Wrath. 8. Kidney. 9. A pronoun. 10. Neat. 11. A public house. . 12. To question. 13. A box. 14. A holy book. 15. A collection of maps. 16. In that place. Centrals, down—lnconceivable. Salem, Ind. Uncle Theo. NO. 1722— AN ENIGMA. My 1,2, 2,3, 4, sis a slice of beef. My 5,3, 4. 2, 1 was a poet. My 2,3, 4,5, 1 are trees of the West Indies. My 1,2, 4,5, 3is to hazard. My 2,4, 5,3. 1 receives. LM. VaxDvue. New Albany, Ind. NO. 1723— DECAPITATIONS. . 1. Behead & gradual and leave a bird. 2. A pastime and leave to be in debt. 3. To flounder and leave to grant. 4. An animal and leave a fluid. 5. To try and leave to arrange. 6. To contend and leave an abbreviation. Dodo. Galion, 0. NO. 1724— SQUARE. 1. The same as above. 2. The die or square part in the middle of the pedestal of a column, between the base and the cornice. 3. To manage. 4. Manner of movement. \V. T. Bkowx. Ellettsville, Ind. NO. 1725. —PROVERBS. 1. L—O—B—F—R—Y—U—E—P. 2. B—T—E—T—E—O—T—L—P—H—N—H—T—N—U. Edith. Logansport, Ind, NO. 172G — CHANGES. Whole, part of the body; transposed, a bird; again, trees; beheaded, to wear out: curtailed, a trifle. Uncle Theo. NO. 1727— HALF SQUARE. 1. To conceal. 2. What we are. 3. Used at the end of prayers. 4. A boy’s name. 5. An adverb. 6. A letter. Dodo. [Answers in three weeks.] A Prize. We offer a pleasing little book, or a pack of cards for the best list of answers this week. Puzzles Answered. By R. R., Indianapolis: Nos. 1700, 1701, 1702, 1703 (partially), 1704, 1705. By Dodo. Galion; Nos. 1700, 1701, 1702, 1703 (nearly >, 1704, 1705. By Uncle Theo, Salem: Nos. 1700. 1701, 1702, 1703 (partially), 1704. By W. T. Brown. Ellettsville: Nos, 1700, 1701, 1702, 1703 (partially). 1704, 1705. By Carrie K. Schuler, Indianapolis: Nos. 1700, 1701, 1702, 1705. By Edith, Logansport: Nos. 1700, 1701, 1702, 1701 (partially), 1705. By I. M. Van Dyke, New Albany: Nos. 1700, 1701, 1702, 1703 (partially), 1704. 1705. We award the little book to Dodo, who outstripped the other solvers only by answering a little more of No. 1703. Pout Notes. Uncle Theo —Always endeavor to define from Webster We thauk you for the matter. I. M. Van Dyke—We are thankful for the work. Will use the decapitations next week. W. T. Brown —Very glad to have you return to headquarters. You write finely. Edith —Here are the proverbs. Next week you shall appear again. Thanks for favors. R. R.—Many thanks for the list of answers. We are always pleased to know how many of our puzzles are answered each week. Things Worth Knowing. That Allcock’s are the only genuine porous plasters. That all other so-called porous plasters are imitations. That their makers only get them up to sell on the reputation of Allcock’s. That all so-called improvements and new ingredients are humbugs. That no one has ever made an improvement on Allcock’s Porous Plasters. That when you buy Allcock’s Porous Plasters you obtain the best plasters made. _ _ _ DIED. HERRON—Yesterday, October 2. .at 8 a. m., Robbert Hamilton, youngest son of F. M. and Clara Herron, age and ten and one-half months. Burial private. CHARLES E. KREGELO, FUNERAL DIRECTORand EffliUE. TELEPHONE 5G4. FREE AMBULANCE. ANNOUNCEMENTS.^ DR. A. W. BRAYTON. OFFICE, 19 WEST OHIO street. Residence, 4. Ruckle street. mTg. HUNTER & CO., ~~ Wholesale Dealers in Grain, Mill Feed and BALED HAY. Room 13, Board of Trade Building. HYDIENIC MEDICATION ALL DISEASES, acute or chronic, successfully treated at 334 N. New Jersey st. The methods employed are electricity, message or Swedish movements, and other hygienic agents. Send for circular. RACHEL SWAIN, M. D. WANTED. \1 7 ANTED—THE CHEAPEST NEWSPAPER IN Yt the West, the Weekly Indiana State Journal. One dollar per year. A\T ANTED-YOUNG LADY TO PLAY PIANO; YY to travel with refined entertainment.; must be good lookiug. Address VIM, Noblesville, Ind. \\ r ANTED~LIADY AGENTS"IfOR~THE FOLDYv iug-spring Bustle,” the most perfect and rapidly selling article of the kind. For terms, etc., address J. L. COWAN, Danville, 111. \\r antedLsalesmenln THISSTATE who m represent leather, boot and shoe jobbers or manufacturers to carry a line of rubber boot and shoe samples and sell on commission. Those already selling rubbers not wanted. Send references with application. X-12, Chicago. WANTED MEN AND WOMEN IN EVERY town to sell a set of Christmas books. Anyone can sell them. They sell for 50c, sl, $1.50 and $3. < >ne new agent (a lndv) sold 55 the first week, making $44.80; another sl3 worth tha first hour, making $5.20. Send for circular. CASSELL & COMPANY, Limited, 40 Dearborn Street, Chicago, 11L FOUND. Found— in the specific, orange blos~ som. a remedy for every female ill; trial boxes at druggists’ free. Write DR. J. A. McGiLL, South Bend, lud., for “Plain Talk to Ladies.”

THEY STAND AT THE HEAD! THE BEST SHOES or Oentiemeu’s wear, for the money, are made by \Sg) J j | STACY, ADAMS & CO. y / I COMFORT, STYLE AND DURABILITY! v Ja Ask yoar dealer for the Stacy, Adam* Jt Cos. Shoo. jr These foods are made of the best French and Domestic stock, X. Kangaroo tops, in hand and machine sewod. in CONGRESS, BUTTON and LACK, and EVERY PAIR WARRANTED. Mau s J?| Satisfaction is guaranteed every one that wear* the Stacy, Adams & 00. Shoe. So and every whe eby first class dealers. NawUBUI fi* Is \V. MACK, Solo Ageut iu IndiauapoUa*

j| S IRON. WpiPE iSjk FITTINGS. M Tuji Agents for National Ten* Works Cos. y Globe Valves, Stop Cocks, EnM ISaia gineTrimmings. PIPETONGS, j pm pj CUTTERS. VISES, TAPS, Stocks and Dies, Wrenches, 1- "Tl p jgV.j Steam Traps, Pumps, Sinks, VSt HOSE, BELTING, BABBIT pjafef I M METALS (25 pound boxes), Fg-j f jff Cotton Wiping Waste, whits Bgflf and colored (100-pound bales), ' t <2l and all other supplies used in I R connection with STEAM. WA- . j |M TER and GAS, in JOB or RE\w TAIL LOTS. Do a regular ' * rjjp steam-fitting business. Esii* mate and contract to heat Mills, Shops. Factories and Ltimbej Ltd Dry-houses with live orexhaast tJ* steam. Pipe cut to order by IB steam power. I 1 HUT T JIM, S jtj 75 and 77 S. Penn. St _ CHURCH SERVICES. Christian. CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH-CORNER OF Delaware and Ohio streets. E. J. Gants, pastor. Services at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. by the pastor. Morning subject. “Wisdom and Folly." Evening subject “Certain Men.” Sunday-school at 9a. m. Prayer-meeting on Thursday eveuing at 7:30. All cordially invited to attend. Baptist. First baptistchurch-northeast corner of New York and Pennsylvania streets. Rev. Reuben Jeffery, D. D., pastor, will preach tomorrow at 10:45 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. Sabbath-school at 2p. m. Prayer-meeting on Thursday evening at 7:45. All are cordially invited to these services. Presbyterian. First Presbyterian church southwest corner Pennsylvania and New York streets. The pastor, Rev. M. L. Haines, will preach to-morrow at 10:30 a. in. and 7;30 p. m. The public cordially invited. SECOND~PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—CORNER of Pennsylvania and Vermont streets. Rev. James McLeod, D. D., pastor. Preaching at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. by the pastor. Sunday-school at 2:15 p. m. Prayer-meeting on Thursday evening at 7:30. All are cordially invited. SEVENTHPRESBYTERIANJCHURCH— CORNER Cedar and Elm streets. Rev. K. V. Hunter, pastor. Evening services in Virginia-avenue Rank. Bring your Gospel Hymns. MEMORIALr PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—COft ner Christian avenue and Ash street. Rev. H. A. Edson, D. D., pastor. 10:30 a. m., communion service. 7:30 p. m., Mrs. Street, long a resident of Madagascar, will speak of that country, illustrating her subject with many native productions. The public welcome. ri^ABERNACLE~CHURCH—CORNER MERIDIAN X and Second streets. Rev. J. Albert Roudtlialer, Sastor. 10:30 o’clock, morning services; 2:15 p. m., unday-school and Bible classes; 3:45 p. m., young people's prayer meeting; 7:30 p. m., evening services. Seats free throughout the house. UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH—CORNER of Massachusetts avenue and East street. Rev. J. P. Cowan, pastor. Preaching at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. by Rev. N. C. McDill, D. D., of Richland. Sabbath-school at 2:30 p. m. Lutheran. First English Lutheran church—coßr ner Pennsylvania and Walnut streets. Rev. Jolin Baltzly, pastor. Preaching to-morrow at 10:45 a. m. Sunday-school at 9:30 a. m. Protestant Episcopal. G race (episcopal) church—corner of North Pennsylvania and St. Joseph streets. Rev. Augustine Prentiss, rector. Services at 10:30 a. ra. and 7:30 p. m. Sunday-school at 2:30 p. m. Methodist Episcopal. MERIDIAN-STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL Church—Corner New York and Meridian streets. Rev. John Alabaster. D. D., pastor. General class at 9a. m. Sunday-school at 10 a. m. Preaching at 11 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. by the pastor. Subjects—Morning, “Stephen a Model for Believers.” Evening, monthly lecture; subject, ‘‘Palissy, the Huguenot?’ Young people’s meeting at 6:30 p. m. RO BERTS PARK M ETHODIST “EPISCOPAL Church—Corner of Delaware and Vermont streets. Rev. I. H. McConnell, pastor. General class at 9a. m. and class at 6:30 p. m. Preaching at 10:30 a. m. and 7:30 p. m. by the pastor. Sunday-school at 2p. m. Young people’s meeting on Monday at 7:30 p. m. Prayer-meeting on Thursday at 7:30 p. m. Song service of twenty minutes before preaching Sunday evening. All are invited. Universalist. SERVICES EVERY SUNDAY AT 10:30 A. M. in True Friend’s Hall, When Block, No. 14. Sun-day-school at close of service. Lecture to-morrow on travel in the Holy Land. Subject, “From the Jordan to Jerusalem." FINANCIAL. Money at the lowest rates of interest. J. W. WILLLVMS CO., 3 and 4 Vinton Block. ■J'O LOAN—SPECIAL FUNDS—ON GOOD MORTX gage security, at low interest. Cali soon. ALEX METZGER, Agent. Money on farm and city property in sums of $5,000 and over at 6 per cent. JNO. C. BRUSH, 1 Odd fellows’ Block. ]' OANS NEGOTIATED ON IMPROVED FARM J and city property in Indiana and Ohio. JOS. A. MOORE, 49 East Washington street. T ; 0 LO.AN—MONEY—ON FAVORABLE TERMsV on improved citv or farm property: U. M. STODDARD & CO., 2-4 Wright’s Block. Indianapolis. E~WILL FURNISH MONEY ON FARM 85 curity, promptly, at the lowest rates, for long or short time. THOS. C. DAY & CO., 72 E. Marketst. QIX PER CENT. MONEY TO LOAN ON INDIO anapolis real estate, in sums of SI,OOO and upwards. HENRY COE & CO., 13 Martind&le Block. FOR SALE. \I7 ANTED—MAN—A GRAND CHANCE FOR A YY reliable, wideawake man. 30 East Ohio street. WANTED TRAVELING MEN IN RETAIL gents’ furnishing or clothing trade to sell our patent novelty to same trade; liberal commission*. Address R. E. PILCHER, Louisville, Ky. For sale—forty acres neafT new Brunswick, Boone county, for $900; also seventy acres for $2,500. The latter has pretty good cabiiiß on it, and said to produce this year sixty bushels of corn to the acre. T. A. GOODWIN, 27 Thorpe Block. AN INTEREST LV DRAIN tile factory; best of potters’ and surface clays; cheap fuel; good demand; samples of tile at State fair. Address G. S. POLLOCK, Sullivan, Lid., or call on W. W. Douglass, corner Washington and Meridian streets, city, for particulars. _ FOR RENT. FOR RENT—DWELLING NO. 401 N.IpENnI ay Ivan ia street; would like to retain two rooms on second floor in the house, for which a suitable allowance in rent will be made; possession given October 15; $45 ]<r month for entire premises. Addrese or apply at office only to H. B. PALMER, 25 East Market street, second floor. LOST. lOST HEALTH MAY BE PERMANENTLY J restored to invalid ladies by the Orange Blossom treatment. Go to your druggist and get a trial box free. One month’s treatment, one dollar.

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