Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 October 1887 — Page 2

THE INDIAKAPOLIS jfOUKETAIj, SUNDAY, OCTOUEll 9, 1887 -TWELVE PAGES.

Printed by Special Arranccment with Author Copyrighted by -Associated Literary Press TEXAR'SREVEN-GE BY JULES VERNE. A Story of the American Civil War.

OIAPTER XXVIII WHAT ZERMAH OVEUIIEAED. "Ton, at Carneral Island?" ''Yea. I have been here for some hours.'' "I thought you were at Adamsville, near Lake ipopkal" . , "I was there a week ago."" "And why have yoa come here?'' "Because I bad to do so." "We ought never to meet, yon know, except in the marsh at Black Creek, and then only after yon have written to tell me!" "But I had to beat a hurried retreat, and escape to the Everglades." "Why!" "I am going to tell yon.' "But is there no risk of our being found out'' "No! I came in the dark, and none of your laves saw me." Zermah listened, but she could not, up to this point, make out the meaninc of the conversation, nor could she imagine who was the wigwam's unexpected guest. There were certainly two men talking; acd yet it seemed as thdugh it was only one man who questioned and answered. The Toice was the same; the accent was the same; the words soemed to come from the same mouth. In vain Zermah tried to look through a crack in the door. The room was liehted but feebly, and remained in a half shadow which prevented the least object from being distinguished. The half-breed bad, therefore, to content herself with listening as intently as possible to a conversation which might be of extreme importance for her. After a moment's silence the two men had continued as follows. Evidently it was Texar who asked the first question. ' "You have not come alone" ".No; some of our men came with me to the Everglades. " "How manyl" "Forty." "Are you not afraid that they will find out what we have kept secret from tnem for so long?" "No. They will never see us together. When they leave Carneral Island they will have learnt nothing, and the plan of our life will in so way be changed." And Zermah thought she could hear the clasp of the hand as they met in token of continued friendship. Then the conversation was resumed. "What has happened since Jacksonville was taken?" "A serious business. You know that Dupont took possession of St. Augustine?" "Yes, I know; and you, 1 suppose, know why I know?" "Yes! The story of the Fernandina train came in haudy to allow you to establish the alibi that forced the court to acquit you?" ''Which did not suit them! Bah! It is not the first time we have got off like that." "And it won't be the last But do yoa know Wbat the federals are after in occupying St Augustine? It was not so much to hold the capital of St John's county as to organize the blockade of the Atlantio coast" "Sol beard." "Well, to watch the coast from the mouth of the St. John's to the Bahamas did not seem to be enough for Dupont, and he resolved to follow up contraband of war into the interior of Florida. So he sent off two boats' crews. Have you heard of this?" "No." "But when did you leave Black Creek? Some days after you were acquitted?" "Yes! The 22d of this month." "This took place on the 22d." It should be remembered that Zermah knew nothing of the ambuscade at Kissimmee, of which Captain Howick bad spoken to Gilbert at their meeting in the forest So she, like the Spaniard, beard for the first time how the boats bad been burnt, and hardly a dozen survivors had found their way back to the Commodore with news of the disaster. "Well! Well!" exclaimed Texar. '-That is a happy revenge for the capture of Jacksonville, and if we can lure those infernal Northerners into the thick of Florida, not one of them will get back." "Not one. If we can get them among the marshes of the Everglades. And we shall have them there before long. " "What do you mean?" "Dupont has sworn to avenge the death of bis officers and sailors, and a new expedition has been sent out to the south of St John's county.' "The federals are coming from that quarter?'' "Yes, but more numerous ana better armed and well on their guard against ambuscades." "Have you met them?" "No,. for our people are not in force now, and we have had to retreat But as we retired we drew them on after us. When we have been Joined by the militia, who are somewhere about, we will fall on them, and not one shall escape." "Where did they come from?" "Mosquito Inlet" "Which way did they come?" "Through the cypress grove." - "Where are ther now?" "About forty miles from Carneral Island."' "Good," said Texar. "We must get them further south, for there is not a day to lose in concentrating the militia. If necessary, we must be off to-morrow to the shore of the Bahama channel." "And from there, if we are pressed before we can collect our friends, we shall find a safe retreat in the English islands." The different matters alluded to in this conversation were of the greatest interest to Zermah. If .Texar decided to leave the island would he take the prisoners with him, or would be leave them at the wigwam in charge of Squambo? In that ease it would be better not to attempt to escape until after the Spaniard's departure. Then she might, perhaps, have a better chance of success. And perhaps the federal expedition then in lower Florida might reach Lake Okee-cho-bee, in sight of Carneral Island? But these hopes vanished almost as soon as they rose. For the next question that was asked was, wbat was to be done with the halfbreed and the child, and to it Texar answered, without hesitation "I shall take them, if necessary, to the Bahamas." "But will the little girl bear the discomforts of the voyage?" "Yes! I will answer for that; and besides, Zermah knows how she can avoid them." "But if the child were to die?" "I bad rather have her dead than give her back to her father!" "Ah! yoa are a good hater of these Burbanks!" "As good as yoa are!" Zermah could hardly contain herself, and wes on the point of throwing open the door acd meeting face to face these two men, who were o like to each other, not only in voice, but in evil inatinct and want of conscience and heart But she controlled herself. Better hear to the end what Texar and his accomplice bad to tay. When their talk was at an end perhaps they would sleep! Then there might be time to escape before they left the island. . ; -' Evidently the Spaniard was in the position of no who bad everything to learn from him be

was talking to. And so be continued tofquestion him. "What news is there from the North?" Nothing of much importance. ' Unfortunately, it seems as though the federals were getting the best of it, and that the slave cause is done for." "Bab!" said Texar. in a tone of indifference. "Well, we are neither for South or North, really, are we?" "No. The only thing is, while they are at each other's throats to be always on the aide where most is to be gained." In this remark Texar revealed his true character. The two men fished the troubled water of civil war only for what they could catch. "But," said Texar, "what has happened in Florida during the past week?" "Nothing that yoa do not know. Stevens remains master of the St John's up to Picolata." "And he does not seem to care to come further down?" "No; the gunboats have not been sent to the south of the county. And I fancy the occupation of this river will soon end, and that the confederates will get back the command of the whole stream." "How?" "There is a rumor that Dupont intends to abandon Florida, and leave two or three ships to blockade the coast" "Can that be possible?" "They are talking about it; and if so, St Augustine will soon be evacuated." "And Jacksonville?" "Jacksonville, too." "Then I can go back, get the committee together again, aud resume the place the federals pushed me from! Ah! my Northerners, if I come back, you will see how I will treat you!" "That is so." "And if James Burbank and his people have not cleared out of Camdless Bay they will not again escape me." "That is right All that yoa have suffered from them I have snlered with you. What yoa wish, I wish! what you hate, I hate! The two of us are but as one." "Yes! as one!" replied Texar. The conversation stopped for an instant The click of the glasses told Zermah that the Spaniard and the other man were drinking together. Zermah was thunderstruck. To listen to them, it seemed as though these two men had bad an equal hand in every crime committed during the last few years in Florida, and more particularly in those against the Burbank family. She learnt much as she listened to them for another half hour; and all the time the same voice gave question and answer, as if Texar were alone and talking to himself. Here was a mystery which the half-breed had the greatest interest in discovering. Bnt if the villains knew that Zermah had heard some of their secrets would they not settle the danger by killing her? And what would become of the child when Zermah was dead? It was about 11 o'clock. The weather continued terrible; wind and rain blew and fell without ceasing. Assuredly Texar and bis companion would not leave their shelter. They would pass the night in the wigwam, and do nothing till the morning. And Zermah's doubts ended when Texar's accomplice who ought to have been Texar himself asked, "Well, wbat shall we do?" "This," said the Spaniard. "To-morrow morning we will go with oar men and reconnoitre round the lake. We will explore the cypress grove for three or four miles, after sending on in advance those who know it best, particularly Squambo. If there are no signs of the approach of the federal detachment, we will return and wait till it is time to retreat. If there is danger, we will get together our partisans and my slaves, and I will take Zermah off to the Bahama channel while yoa concentrate the militia in Lower Florida." "Agreed." said the other; "while yoa reconnoitre I will hide in the woods on the island. It will not do for us to be seen together." "No! certainly not!" said Texar. "We must keep from anv imprudence that would reveal our secret Do not come back here till to-morrow night: and, if I am obliged to go off daring the day, do not leave the island till I have got clear away. Meet me then, at Cape Sable." Zermah then saw that she could not be rescued by the federals. If in the morning their approach was discovered, the Spaniard would not leave the island without hr. She could only be saved by her own efforts, great as was the danger. Escape under such difficult circumstances was almost impossible. But with what courage would she have attemDted it had she known that James Burbank, Gilbert, Mars and his companions at the plantation were on their way to deliver her from Texar; that her letter had told them where to look for her; that already Mr. Burbank was up the St John's, beyond Lake Washington; that the greater part of the Cyprus grove had been crossed; that the little band from Camdless Bay bad been joined by the detachment under Captain Howick; that it was Texar whom they looked upon as the author of the ambuscade at Kissimmee; that the scoundrel was to be hunted to death, and that he would be shot on the spot if they could only get hold of him! But Zermah knew nothing of this. She could wait for help no longer. And she resolved to risk everything to get away from Carneral island. But she must wait for twenty-four hours before she made her attempt. Although the night was very dark and favorable for her chance of escaDe. The men, who had not even taken shelter under the trees, were all round the wigwatn. She could hear them walking about on the bank, smoking and talking. If her attempt failed, if her plan was discovered, she would be worse off than she was, and Texar would have an excuse for bis violence. Would the chance of escape be better to-morrow! Had not the Spaniard said that his companions, his slaves, even the Indian, Squambo, would accompany him to reconnoitre the federal advance? Would something come out of this to increase her chance of gutting away? If she could get across the channel without being seen, aud reach the forest, she did not doubt that she would be safe. She could hide, and need not again fall into Texar's hands. Captain Howick could not be far off. If he was advancing towards Lake Okee-cho bee, was there not a chance that she might meet with him? Befter, therefore, wait for to-morrowl But hardly had she so decided, than something happened, that at once swept away the scaffold on which her last hopes were built There came a knock at the wigwam door. It was Squambo, who made himself known to bis master. "Enter!" said the Spaniard. Squambo came in. "Have you any orders for the night?" he asked, "Keep careful watch, and let me know at the least alarm." "I will do so," said Squambo. "To-morrow morning we will reconnoiter for some miles in the forest" "The half-breed and Dy?" "Will be under guard as usual. See that co one disturbs us here." "Right" "What are the men doing?" "Walking about None of them seem to care to rest" "See that none get far away." "None shall go." "What is the weather like?" "Not so bad as it was. The rain bas stopped, and the wind will soon drop." "Good." Zermah had listened to all this. The conversation was evidently nearing its end, when a stifled sigh, a sort of rattle,, made itself heard. Zermah's blond flowed back to her heart She ruse, rushed to the bod of herbs and bent over the little girl. Dy had just awoke, and in what a state! A choking, husky breath was escaping from her lips. Her little hands were beating the air, as if she sought to drag it into her mouth. Zermah could just hear the words: "Drink! water!" The child wac being raff oca ted. She must be taken into the air at once. In the darkness Zermah, distracted, took her in her arras to revive her with her own breath. She felt her struggle in a convulsion. She uttered aery she burst open the door of the room. Two men were there, standing before Squambo. But so like wnre thev In face and build that Zermah could not tell which of them was Texar. CHAPTER XXIX. A DOUBLE LIFE. A few words will suffice to explain that which has hitherto seemed inexplicable in this story. Tbe men before whom Zermah had suddenly appeared were twins. Where they were born they themselves did sot know. Probably their birthplace was some

village of Texas whence the name of Texar by merely changing a letter. Texas, it will be remembered, is an extensive territory, situated in the South of tbe United States, and on the-Gulf of Mexico. After revolting against the Mexicans, Texas, assisted by the United Stat9S in its independence, was annexed to the Union, in 1S15, under the presidency of John Tyler. It was about fifteen years before this annexation that two children were found abandoned in a villa? on the Texan coast, and were taken care of and brought up by public charity. Attention was first directed to tbe children on account of their marvelous resemblance. They bad the same gestures, the same voice, the same attidues, the same physiognomy, and it may be added the same instincts testifying to a precocious perversity. We know not how they were educated, nor wbat instruction they received, nor to wbat family they belonged, unleBS tt was to one of those who roamed about the country after the declaration of independence. " As soon as the brothers Texar thought they could support themselves, they disappeared. This was when they were about twelve years old. They then took to a life of thieving among tbe fields and farms, stealing bread in one place, fruit in another, ending at length in highway robbery. Then thsy ceased to be seen in the Texan villages in the company of lawbreakers, who, even in those early days had put their stranee resemblance to account Years rolled by. The Texar brothers were soon forgotten even by name. And although the name became notorious enough in Florida, nothing happened to show that they had passed their early years in the coast districts of Texas. But bow was it that after their disappearance no one knew that there were two Texars? It was on this ignorance that their plans bad been built As was ascertained later on when the duality was discovered and proved, the brothers for twenty or thirty years lived apart. Fortune they sought in all ways; but they did not meet again except at rare intervals away from observation, either in America, or wherever their search after fortune lead them. One of them which it was not known, though it was probably both engaged in tbe slave trade. They brought cargoes of slaves from the coasts of Africa to the Southern States of the Union, acting as intermediaries between the merchants on the coast and the captains of the bhips employed in the inhuman traffic. Did their trade prosper? We do not know. But probably not; for it diminished rapidly, and was finally put a stop to when the slave trade was denounced as a barbarism, and gradually abolished by the world. The Drotbers bad not made their fortune, and they resolved to do so at any price. It was then they resolved to avail themselves of their extraordinary resemblance. It often happens that such a resemblance dies away as children grow to manhood. But this was not the case with the Texars. The older they got, the more their physical and moral resemblance, increased. It was impossible to distinguish one from the other either by his face, or his figure, or his gestures or voice. And resolving to take advantage of this natural peculiarity, they entered ntoa a hateful career of crime, intending if one was caught to establish an alibi by means of tbe other. When one went off to commit some act that would bring him within reach of the law, the other would show himself in public, so that all criminating evidence would fail. Of course, they never allowed themselves to be taken in the act, for then no alibi could have been pleaded. Having drawn cp their programme the twins came to Florida, where neither of them was known, tbe attraction beine tbe numerous opportunities offered in a State where the Indians still carried on a struggle against the Americans and the Spaniards. It was about 1S30 or 1851 that Texar appeared in the Floridan peninsula Texar, not tbe Texars. be it understood, for it was their intention never to be seen together, never to be on the same day in the same place. Hiding themselves thus under a complete incognito, they found a retreat that was quite as mysterious. This was in Black creek, which they discovered in one of their explorations of the St John's. There they brought a few laves, to whom their secret was not revealed. Squambo alone knew the' mystery of their double existence. The confidant was worthy of bis masters, whom he served with unequaled devotion and discretion, and pitilessly executed their commands. Never, it need scarcely be said, did they appear together at Black creek. When they wished to consult on any matter, they wrote to each other. We have, in fact, seen their postoffiee. A letter was slipped into the stalk cf a leaf, and the leaf was fixed to the branch of a tulip tree in the neighboring marsh. This means never failed them. Every day Squambo cautiously visited the tree. If he was the bearer of a letter from the Texar, then at Black creek he fixed it to the branch of the tulio tree. It tbe letter had been written by the other brother, the Indian found it in the usual place and took it back to the block-house. Af tr their arrival in Florida the Texars leagued themselves with all that was bad among the population. Many of the criminal classes became their accomplices in the numerous robberies that then took place, and these became their accomplices later on when the war brought them to the front in political matters. But althougbt sometimes one and sometimes another took the lead in these matters, their companions never knew that there were two Texars. Thus it was that an alibi was always forthcoming when a Texar was brought to answer for his crimes. Thus it was that although James Burbank and Zermah had positively recognized the Spaniard as the author of the fire, he had been acquitted by the tribunal at St Augustine, for numerous witnesses swore that at the time of the crime he was in Torino's tienda at Jacksonville. And so it was regarding the attack on Camdless Bay. Hot could Texar be leading the assault at Castle House, or carrying away Zermah and Dy when he was one of the prisoners made by tbe federals at Fernandina, and then in safe keeping on one of the gunboats? And even admitting that the duality of Texar was known, how could they tell which of them was the culprit? Were there not in fact two who were guilty? Should not the jusily-merited punishment fall on bath? At Jacksonville it was probable that both brothers bad in turn played the same part after the outbreak. When Texar No. 1 absented himself on some agreed expedition, Texar No. 2 would take his place without the people being aware of the change. They thus took an equal part in the excesses then committed against the colonists of Northern birth and the Southern planters holding anti slavery opinions. Both were aware of what passed in the central States of tbe Union, where, as in Florida, civil war nnderweut such unexpected changes in fortune; both had acquired great influence over the lower class of whites, and over the Spaniard!?, and even the American slave partisans. Their correspondence was considerable, and their meetings in out cf-the-way places were many to enable them to conduct their operations and prepare their future alibis. It was while one was in the hands of the federals that the other organized the expedition at Camdless bay. And we know how they had turned this to account at tbe court-martial at St. Augustine. Age, as it bas bee a said, confirmed and increased the resemblance betweon the brothers; but it was possible that an accident or a wound might alter that resemblance. For instance, in a night attack some time after their arrival in Florida, one of the Texars had his beard burnt by a rifle fired at him point blank. Immediately the other shaved his beard so as to be like his brother, a fact that was mentioned in the early part of this history. Another fact requires explanation. It will cot have been forgotten that one night while she was at Black Creek Zermah saw the Spaniard's arm tattooed. The reason was that bis brother had been captureed by a band of Seminoles, and had been so indelibly marked on his left arm. Immediately a tracing of the device was sent to the fortress and Squambo set to work, so that thf identity continued absolute. In fact if Texar No. 1 had happened to lose a limb, Texar No. 2 would have submitted to amputation to resemble him. For twelve years the Texar brothers lived this double life, but with such skill and prudence that justice was set at defiance. Had the twins grown rich at this trade? Yes. in a certain measure. A considerable sum of money saved from the proceeds of pillage and theft bad been hidden in a secret redoubt of the block house at Black creek, but as a precaution it had been taken away by tbe Spaniard when he started for Carneral island, and we may rest assured that he would not leave it behind him if be went to the Bahamas. ; Wbenthe twins learnt that Commodore Dupont contemplated an early evacuation of Florida, they saw that there would be a chance of further enriching themselves, and the Northern planters could be made to pay dearly for the federal occuoation. They had therefore resolved to keep on the watch. Once they were back at Jacksonville, with the help of their partisans and the Southerners in league with them, they could resume the position which a riot had given them once and could give them again. And besides thU they had a means of acquiring wealth almost beyond their desires. They had only to listen to the proposition Zermah had made to one of them; they had oniy to return Dy to her parents. James Burbank would have given bis fortune as his child's ransom. He would have undertaken to make no complaint or instigate any pursuit against the Spaniard. But among the Texars hate was stronger than self-interest. They wished to b revenged on the Burbanks before tLey left Florida. Sucn is all that need be said about the history of the brothers Texar. We can now resume oar story. When Zermah suddenly found herself in their

presence, she understood alL The past instantly rushed back through her mind. In astonishment she looked at the men motionless as if rooted in tbe ground, holding the little girl in her arms. Fortunately the air in the room was abundant, and all fear of the child's suffocation had gone. Her appearance before the brothers, her discovery of the secret of their lives, meant , she well knew, sentence of death. (TO BB CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY. )

WASHINGTON'S HEAD SAFE. The Story of the Desecration of His Tomb DeniedSome Items of History. New York Herald. The story that the head of 'Washington was stolen from Mount Vernon and carried to Paris by curiosity hunters is pronounced by Dr. G. M. Toner as an unqualified falsehood. Tbe remains of Washington were removed from the old and original coffin about fifty years ago and placed in the marble sarcophagus made for that purpose, which was not only to keep out the air but so constructed and fastened that it would be next to impossible for anybody to violate the sanctity of the seals without having uninterrupted aceess to them for many hours. When the remains were transferred from the old coffin to the marble receptacle many members of the Washington family were present, with persons of prominence, and they all certified to tbe fact that the skeleton was all intact. After tbe sarcophagus was put in its place the iron grated door was looked and the key thrown into the Potomac The old lock is still in good preservation and bas never been tampered with. During the rebellion the grounds at Mount Vernon were held sacred, and the band of the adal was never known to have desecrated any part of the tomb or its surroundings. Tbe last resting place of Washington has been vigilantly watched ever since the present tomb was ereoted. Though some distance from the mansion, every device known has been used for many years, to alarm tbe superintendent of the grounds. Now electric wires communicate with the house, making it impossible for any one to even attempt to open the iron doors. The story, therefore, that the skull of Washington was ever removed or even profaned by the touch of vandals, Dr. Toner, says, is utterly without foundation. In 1849 the Washington heirs loaned to Mr. Clark Mills the original cast of Washington's face, made during life by the celebrated sculptor Houdon. It was never returned, but in its place a copy, which Mr. Mills claimed was in better condition than the original, was sent to the Mount Vernon mansion. It subsequently passed into the possession of Mr. McDonald, tbe sculptor, and is supposed to be in his possession still. Speculation was rife for a time as to who bad the original. It was not, however, stolen, and is probably still in New York. FIELD AND THE BED-BUGS, How He Decorated His Room with Four Pounds of Yellow Powder. Omaha World. Eugene Field was here not long ago under an assignment to describe the Omaha saloon property of ex-President Hayes, and I had the pleasure of dining with bim at one of our first-class hotels. After diuner we went up to his room. When he opened the door for me to go in I saw probably the most remarkable apartment it bas ever been my lot to witness. The walls bad been white originally, I suppose, but as I glanced at them they seemed to have been transformed into a dirty yellow. The sheets of the bed were turned down, and they exhibited tbe same discoloration. The windows had spots of yellow on them, and the washstand and dressing case were similarly blotched. I turned to Field wonderingly. He was looking very sober, even sad. "I had some trouble with the bugs last night," he explaiaed pathetically, "and 1 didn't sleep very well. As soon as it was light I went dowa to the drug store and bought four pounds of insect powder." And be bad used it all, and with commendable thoroughness. We sat in the yellow room and chatted a few minutes, and then Field rose and rang the belt A girl appeared, and be asked her to send up the housekeeper. As that large, venerable and matronly person opened the door she saw Field iu the center of the' room assuming a tragic attitude. and rendered most fiendishly ridiculous by the waving plumes of a large feather duster which be had found on the dressing-case, and the handle of which he had stuck between bis collar and the back of bis neck. It was a tableau as funny as could be improvised. It was broken presently by Field announcing himself in bloodcurdling tones to the house-keeper as "Spat, the Bed-bug King." Then be plucked her mysteriously by tbe sleeve and led ber over to the dressing-case. He opened the too drawer of that article of furniture, and there, disposed in regular line, were fourteen bed-bugs lying in all tbe silent pathos of death on as many small fragments of newspaper. I shall never forget the expression of fear, astonishment and shame with which that house-keeper turned and ran out of the room. , Love's Sacrifice. Had I bnt loved thee less, unfading rose, I would have plucked thee from thy leafy stem, And worn thee in my bosom, precious gem. To share with me life's bitterness and woes; This I had done bad I gone on as goes The world, that walss abroad with virtue's hem Upon his robe, and burnished disadem Upon Lis brow, himself, of all vain shows The show! But nay; I leave thee in thy vale. Nor touch thy petals with my frosty hand, Nor rob thee of the sunbeam's soft caress; Yet I would stay until thy beauties pale, And lie, how like a corpse, upon the strand Of death, and with my tears thine ashes bless. liEWiSTOJf. Idaho. Lee Fairchild. A Wish. He stands at the window to watch them pass, The crowds, in the drizzling rain, And laughs at their features, seamed and bent, By a flaw in the window pane. Dear child, if you never had need to find That the world is wrong and vain. And could see no more of our human twists Than are made by a Haw in the pane. . Albion Mary Fellows. She Said That I Was Dreaming. The amber beams were flitting From the meadow newly mown Mv love and I were sitting In the waning light alone. I told her of my passion, And the hope I had at stake; She said that I was dreaming Ah, let me never wake! The mellow glow grew dimmer; I clasped ber hand in mine; The stars began to glimmer Above the drowsy pine. I said their beams were shining The brighter for her sake; She told 1 was dreaming Ah, let me never wake! I felt her fingers tremble ; Shr teardrops I coxild see; Her heart could not dissemble The love she bore for me. I whispered: "Were you faithless, Sweetheart my heart would break; If loving is but dreaming Ah, let me never wake!" -S. M. reck, in Sew Orleans Times- Pemocrat. The Last of Earth. Death is it Death? The shadow following still upon the sun. The one 4im end of all-things yet begun. After the glory of Life the sudden gloom. After the btrife the inexorable doom, Tha frozen breath? -Nay. rather see Where the new grave lies sodden in the rain. How tbe bare earth quickens to trrowth again! Waiting the wonder-season's lavish dower Young rootlets creep, a wealth of grass and flower Ere long to be. When Death has passed Tnto the land of silence and of cloud, The leafless land, wherein no bird is loud. Life lingers yet with song and blossom rife. Lo! step for step go ever Death and Life, But Life is last! Kate Putnam Osgood, in The American Magazine for October. Evidences of the Sixth Sense. New York Evening Sun. "I stood in an aisle," said Mr. Harrison, of the Institution for the Blind, "when a blind boy was walking toward me. and just as he came opposite I put up my hand before his face. It brought him up short, and he flung his bead baek to avoid the obstruction. I did not touch him with my hand, nor did I speak, nor give anv other indication of my presence. How was he enabled to know the obstruction was there?" "Has that experiment been tried in more than one case?"' It has been tried often and in many cases, and always with success. ' The Doss Hangman. . PJttpburg T'fsoatch. Tbe champion hangman in the United States is Georso B. Malidon, of Fort Smith, Ark, on the border of the Indian Territory. He has been acting as executioner for the United States marshal there sines 1873. The United States Court in the Territory is scarcely more than a criminal court, having jurisdiction of all crimes committed in that region. This man bas, in bis official capacity, "worked oif " fifty-two murderers, hanging forty-two on the same gallows. This celebrated executioner is fifty-seven years of age. a Bavarian by birth, butan Amer ican by resideuea for the greater portion of his life. He is said to be a jolly . good fellow.

EEV.DE. FLETCHER'S LETTER

Sorrento, the Place for Historical Associations, as Well as for Honeymoons. Reflections Sngrjrested bj "Agnes of Sorrento" Osar Augustus, Tasso, Torqnato, John Milton and More Modern People. Correspondence of the Indianapolis Journal. Hotel, Tramontano, Sorrento, Italy, July, 1887. Twenty years ago one of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe's least interesting books appeared, bearing the name of "Agnes of Sorrento." It had not the power of Uncle Tom or of "Dred." It had not the pathos of the "Pearl of Orris Island." but it bad much graceful and true description. I am in Agnes Sorrento; but why should I associate tbis place, which realizes the pcet's or painter's dream of Italy, with an American work of fiction, when it is a city and a neighborhood associated with real names, names celebrated in history,, great in poetry, in statesmanship, and in war. I look from the balcony of my room upon the overhanging cliffs that are reflected in the calm, pellucid waters a hundred feet below, and I see near at hand, where Asenius Pollio bad his magnificent villa. Pollio was the early friend acd patron of Virgil and Horace. A little further on Mecenas, the friend of Horace, and the lover of beaux arts, bad his pleasure bouse, where amidst bis vineyards and olive groves he passed the hours free from the cares of Rome. And there, on that point jutting out into the sea, are the ruins of the magnificent palace built by Augustus Crcsar, who was so fond of the shores of the bay of Naples and lived much at Sorrento, Ischia, Puteoli and Capri. From the ruins of this palace of Augustus may be seen the remains of many other costly villas belonging to the Romans of the first century. A little further on is the island of Capri, 'where Tiberius remained so lone away from public affairs, and let the Roman empire "run itself." Coming down to later days, I am within two hundred yards of where once stood the house in which the Italian poet, Torquato Tasso, was born. Here in Sorrent u came the great Milton, in the beauty of his early manhood, visiting with his friend Mauso, the Marquis of Villa, the places of classic association, and those of his favorite, Tasso. The Marquis was then very old, and had known Tasso intimately. Milton was a brave fellow in this voyage to Italy. He bad already written those beautiful poems, "Arcades," "Comus,""Lycidas," and "l'Allegro" (tbe Cheerful Man), and "le Penseroso" (the Thoughtful Man), of which last two Macaulay says they differ from other poems "as ottar of roses differ from ordinary rose water the close-packed essence from the thin diluted mixture," and the same writer says that tbe Comus "framed on th e model of an Italian marque is certainly the noblest performance - of tbe kind in any language." I said that Milton was brave in this journey, for penning, while be was at Naples, and previous to his second visit to Rome, that the English Jesuits in the latter city had formed a plot against him because be bad spoken "too freely of religion;" it did not stop bim. His duty led him right back to the Eternal City, and the warnings he received did not hinder bim an instant. He went to Rome, and he has put on record bis views concerning a man being true to his colors under 'such circumstances; "for," be writes, when threatened by the English Jesuits, "it was a rule which I laid down to myself iu those places (Rome. Naples, etc.) never to be the first to be sin any conversation on religion, but if any questions were pat tome concerning my faith to declare it without any reserve or fear, I returned to Rome. I took no steps to conceal either my person or my character, and, for about the space of two months, I again openly defended, as I bad done before, the reformed religion in the very metropolis of Popery." But let us, however, come back to the Sorrente of the present time. How I wish that a party of Indianapolis friends eould have been with me this morning as 1 sallied forth to visit the villa, or country seat, of an old French nobleman, who has made this part of Italy his home ever since the battle of Sedan. I, bowever, shall say little of his castle borne. The wheat harvest was over in the end of May, and unless I except the' the ordinary earden vegetables, the cultivation was entirely difjerent from that around Indianapolis, although tbe latitude of Sorrento is about that of Noblesville, Ind. In tht first place let me state that the Sorrentino plain ( "piano" it is called here) which is singularly situated on an average level of one hundred feet above the level of the sea, and yet more than four thousand feet below the summit of tbe highest mountains. This plain, which has theBe lofty eminences all around it, except the northern side, which is washed by the Mediterranean, is singularly fertile, because it has the extraordinary geological combination of volcanic and calcareous debris, such as no geologist can satisfactorily account for. Now, here grow trees and plants, either tropical or semi-tropical. The chief income of agricultural Sorrento are from four sources, viz.: Oranges, lemons, (I saw four large ocean steamers all Englishloading with them tbia week) olives and grapes. It is a land of oil and wine. The next important items, occupying the fifth and sixth places, are the immense quantities of figs, pears and stone fruits, such as almonds, peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, or prunes of all kinds. Japanese nespores, cherries, and English walnuts as they are called in America. These are all exported in vast proportions. What a difference there is here from the usual cultivation right around Indianapolis! It is true that we have in Indiana peaches and pears, but good plums and cherries are an exception. In my morning ramble, as I passed through the grounds of the Hotel Tramontano which is beautifully situated in a couple of acres of fruit trees and flowering plants I bad the curiosity to count the varieties of trees and plants, and to my surprise I found every continent represented, not by one specimen, but by many, so that a most grateful shade was produced, and delicious fruit abounded. I have already mentioned the oranges and lemons whose native home is Asia, and the stone fruits, mostly from Persia and Asia-Minor and the Japanese nespores. But turning from them I noticed the eucalyptus globulus (the blue gum-tree), the cunning hanica of Australia, . the magnolia grandifiora from Florida, three verities of palms from Africa, several kinds of aloes from Mexico and South America, the cecropia (a tree on whose great succulent leaves the Eloth lives), from the Amazon region, the banana, the bayonet plane, the sweet-perfumed stramonium graudum, the laurel with its shining leaves, dear to Apollo, the strelitzia regiua from South Africa, the ancanthus, which gave rise to the beautiful Corinthian capital; and all interspersed with arbors of the most luscious of grapes, such as will not grow in the open air in Indiana, indeed will only flourish in perfection on tbe Pacific coast of California. In the court-yard of the hotel are Marec-hal Neel roses, trained clear up to the second story, and in the winter and springtime are laden with their rich yellow bloom. Here, too, reaching up to the second story, is the glorious Bourganvillia, in February showing its wealth of large magenta-colored blossoms just as I have seen it in Brazil, only there I have looked upon this wonderful vine drapinc the mountain cliff with a perfect cascade of bloom. Not far from the Bourganvillia is the rare Rincospernium Tasmenoides, trailing over the porch, and its white jasmine-line flowers, sDarkling like little stars against the green foliage. Who blames the English newly-married couples for coming to Sorrento to spend their honeymoon? How often have I seen them" in this very Tramontano hotel hanging over the balconiea and gazing upon all the loveliness and gloriousness of the surrounding scenery. Here it was the Duke of Edinburgh came, and saw, and courted and won his bride, in 1873. In 1872 73 the Empress of Ruscia (mother of the present stubborn Czar) came for her health acd spent, here in Sorrento, four of the bapniest months of tbe latter part of her life. The Duke .of Edinburgh, the royal "bould sailor boy," came to Naples on his man-of-war. and knowing that the Empress and her daughter were over at Sorrento, he hied him in bis steam launch across the bay, was at once smitten and you know all the rest. It was in the Hotel Tramontano that be first saw bis future wife, and I have never heard that be repented of bis batgain made at Sorrento in 1S73. Apropos of tbis subject of honeymoon places, I was gazing one evening from the aame balcony of the Tramontano listening to the waves lapsing quietly on the shore, seeing tbe glow in the western heavens beyond Pateoli and "Ischia's Island-mountain," and, glancing eastward, I saw Vesuvius lifting aloft his torch of fire. There stood near me three Russian ladies, two from St. Petersburg and one from the Caucasus. One was a middle-aged, wifely-looking person. She had evidently been affected by tbe scene, and, turning to me, said in French, "When 1 leave this world and go to another

sphere of existence. I hope to return to Sorrentoas a bride, for I have never seen such a place to , spend a honeymoon in." Her notions were not very correct, theologically speaking but ae- ' corded with romance. No one can visit such a scene without feeling poetry, even if he did cot write it. John C. Wrirnt, when he was here, was always quoting; T. Buchanan Read's "Drifting;" he eould recite nothing so genuine or appropriate. Poor Read spent many of the last days of bis life here, and it seems to me that if he bad thrown "physic to the dogs," and worse, the favorite beverage ot Bourbon county, Kentucky, and of that town in western France, known as Cognac, be would have still been alive. There is no short poem that floats more melody, or is truer to nature than "Drifting." Every verse is a picture wheahe describes how "My soul to-day Is far away, Sailing the Vesuviaa bay;" Or, how his "Winged boat, A bird afloat.

Swims round the purple peaks remote;" Or when he speaks of "Vesuvine' misty brim," or the telling stanza describing Sorrento, viz: "In lofty lines, 'Mid palms end pines. And olives, elms and vines, Sorrento swings. On sun-set wings, Where Tasso's spirit soars and sings." Read bas in this poem what the French call "couleur locale," as he describes the island of the bay: 'Here Ischia smiles O'er liquid miles: And yonder, bluest of the isles, Ca'm Capis waits. Her sapphire gates. Beguiling to her bright estates." It always seemed to me that, "like a sister's oice," that scenery and nsjsurronndings tried to lead tbe poet to forsake "earth's troubled waters ior a purer spring, lor, in me very last Term ot his beautiful and mellifluous poem, he breathes forth, "No more, no more The worldly shore. Upbraids me with its loud uproar! With dreamful eyes, My spirit lies. Under the wails of Paradise!" I knew Buchanan Read in the days before flatterers and drink spoiled him, and a sweeter spirit than his is not often met with in tbis world. J. c. Fletcher. AN KLECTKICAL. WAR. Preparing for a Contest with EdisonMillions of Dollars Involved. Philadelphia liecord. The consolidation of tbe Westinghouse Electric-light Company, of Pittsburg, which has a system of incandescent lights in operation in this State, some of which are in Philadelphia, with the Thomson-Houston company, of Boston, is looked upon by electric-light "people as very significant. The combination between these corporations is net likely to affect the operations of electric-light companies in this city, as all of the concerns here except the Keystone are combined in an electrical trust, formed after tbe style of the gas trusts in Chicago and, Boston, and are operated harmoniously. Electricians, however, say that the Westinghouse and tbe Thomson and Houston consolidation is of the utmost importance, because it' ie the beginning of a combination that is to extend all ever the country in opposition to Mr. Edison, who has recently been granted a patent for the multiple arc system of distribution, which, if sustained by tbe courts, will give Mr. Edison the absolute control of the incandescent system and will compel the Westinghouse people and all of the other incandescent companies which have been and are now supplying their special incandescent lamps from a common center of power, to either abandon their business or pay tribute to Edison. The special patent which has been granted to Mr. Edison is for a distribution of electrical power to a system of incandescent lamps from a common station, as is now being done by all of the incandescent companies. Under tbe patents granted by the patent office. Mr. Edison can bring suit against all of tbe other incandescent systems for an infringement upon his patent. The strong probability that such suits may be brought is an inducement for the otber companies to pool their issues. The ThompsonHouston Electrical Company has an aro-light , plant second in extent ana value to only one other eempaay in the world, and its combination with tbe Westinghouse company is regarded as ef the greatest importance. In this eity all of the electrical lighting companies bare entered into a combination, but if the claim of the Edison peonle to an exclusive , patent in the distribution of power to incandes-i cent lamps shall be sustained, it is by co means unhkely that the Philadelphia combination may be broken up. The effect of the granting of this patent has been to unsettle all of the valnes of tbe incandescent distributing companies; but as Edisoai will be compelled to bring suit in the courts to establish the truth of the charge of infringement upon bis patents by other companies, there is a In view of this faet, compromises have been suggested, and it is likely that efforts will bo made to harmonize the conflicting interests. The only eompany in this city which is interested especially in this state of affairs is the Keystone company, which is not in the trust that controls all of the electric lighting companies in Philadelphia. A Zlallow-e'en Ceremony. American Magazine. Everyone, from Aunt Bethiah to twelve-year old Tom. gathered in the long hall to trv 'Vn tiff ing the candle." A curious little English song is chanted by tbe participants in this ceremony, which runs: Trio it lightly! Step it stately! (How the candle winks end flares!) Hark the echoes move sedately Up the wide old oaken stairs. Silvery beads and merry children J Glide in rhythmic movement slow. Toward the wavering flame bewild'ring; One by one. we watch them go. ' Now. with dainty hand, the maiden Grasps her clinging, sweeping train, -Swiftly bounds, good saints all aiding As she clears the candle's flame. Step it stately, trip it lightly, She will live the year out brightly. A solitary candle is placed on tbe floor, over; which each dancer springs, keeping time to the measure of the tune. As each one makes the . trial, the onlookers watch the flame. If it burns ) steadily, the year will be one of unruffled joy and health; if it flares to the right, illness may', be anticipated; if to the left, trouble of mind or business. If the light is extinguished, it is a token of death or irremediable sorrow end mis fortune during the next twelve months. night Temperature In Russia. Odessa Dispatch to London Daily Neva. Kept. 12. For the last twenty days the abnormal heatr daring the day bas been distressing. For tho past month we have bad no rain, not even passing tbundersbower. Tbere is scarcely a green shrub or tree in the city or suburbs. Everything is scorched, yellow and dust-laden. The country presents the same parched and withered appearance. The nights brine ns little or no relief, the 1111 suffocating sultriness of the day being then only varied occasionally by t very slight southerly breezes, which are too1 warm to be refreshing. One not unnatural result of tbis continued hot aud rainless weather is that our hosnitals are crowded and our death rate has risen 9 per cent. There is much en-! demic disease. The usually less dangerous epi- i demies are chiefly rife among childron, bat the . fatal cases are now alarmingly numerous. ! There exists here just now an intense popnlar dread of cholera being introduced by some of the Mediterranean vessels despite the quarantine precautions. Our city sewers are neither! disinfected nor flushed. All tbe conditions are, unhappily, here too favorable at present for tha spread of any serious epidemic The popular' prayer is for rain. Women's Clabs Developing Essayists. Anna B. Mcolahan, in American Magazine. The best and most orderly treatment of that much discussed subject, socialism in America, . which I remember to have met during the past ! year, was a lady's essay read at her regular 1 weekly club meeting. Another lady, whose subject was America's domestio relations, discussed the Ngro, Chinese, Indian and Mormon ques- i tion?; each of her four paper showing an exact and d.scrirainating knowledge "up to last Saturday night," as Sir James Mackintosh used to say. From this same company came also two papers of literary criticism which have since bad a larger hearing through the columns of a well-known monthly. Yet seventeen years ago when that little group first cams together each one of them was afraid of. the sound of her own voice; not one supoosed she had anything to say or that she coull say it if she had. Singular Circumstance. Fittsburg Cbronicle. It is a remarkable fact that Claus Spreekles, the sugar king, bas a gray mustache instead of a sandy one, as yoa wculd naturally suppose. Piano scarfs are rather a wast of effort just now. Both square and upright pianos have larger draped covers. Oriental nuselled muslin, edged with silk tassels and gracefully draped, is very effective. The preserve closet should be dark and cook Fruits, jellies and jams darken if exposed to light.