Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 28, Number 43, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 October 1879 — Page 7

THE .INpiAKA. STATE SENTINEL, , WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22 1879e;l ? 'V

THE FAIX OF THE TEAK.

Oh! the elms are yellow, The apples are mellow. The corn is ripe la the ear;" The birds leave off nesting. The earth begins resting, Because 'tis Ule fall o' tb e year. The crickets are calling. The red leaves are failing. In the field the Btubble is sere; The day ot the clover And wi d bee is over. Because 'tis the fall 'o the year. . Boston Transcript. Tor the Inilianapolii Sunday Sentinel: BROWNBOY. BT MAURICE THOMPSON. We had been in our pleasant country house about two weeks when Uncle Clem came. I Saw him first and ran to meet him, ashehob-

lbled up the straight, graveled path, from the Mtgate to the veranda. He. , always brought

something like sunshine with him, poor L ncle Clem! . The morning-glories, and balsam flowers, and pinks, and roses, and humming-birds, and butterflies were not more welcome to us than the lame old bachelor, Uncle Clem. "We were three romping, careless girls, between 12 and 17, neither children nor women; spending the hot season at the birthplace of our mother, the old Clem mansion. we were in the great front hall. The breeze from the bay poured through the ample windows with a keen, salt stimulus in every pulse. "When I flung down my needlework and darted to the stairway, my sisters followed noisily. "It's Uncle Clem! Uncle Clem!" they cried, echoing my first exclamation. "We clattered and rustled and jostled down the broad stairs; we struggled for precedence at the door; we ran a race down the walk, I ahead, my sisters following hard. Uncle Clem balanced himself on his poor lame feet, such gout he had, and spreading out his arms took us all to his kind heart in the order of our coming. '"Winner by three lengths!" he ejaculated, fairly lifting me from the ground. As the others came up he clasped them in the same hearty way, saying: 'You're swift-footed, but vou broke, vou J?iost ground by not keeping down to honest trotting. All well 1 see, how s JNannief k tannic was our mother, who now came down from the house in her sweet dignified way to greet her brother. We took Uncle- Clem by the arms and around the body, almost carrying him into the library. One of us fetched an easy chair, another the footstool, another a cigar. "We knew exactly how to please him, and, moreover, we had not seen him for three long months. We all were hungry to hear him talk. "This is solid comfort," he said, when his cigar began to burn freely and he had settled his swollen feet upon the yielding stool. "Solid comfort," he repeated, "perfect rest, and I need it after the great excitement of the races."' The races!" echoed our mother. Wo all oponed wide our Presbyterian eves. We knew of the races the great, wicked horse-races at fc ,hard bv. V e had read of the unu sual excitement the fast time, the enormous bets, ard all that; but that good Uncle Clem could ever nave been so outrageously immoral as to think of attending such a place or amusement, so-called, absolutely horrihed us. , o held up our hands. He smiled a vaguish smile like that of a dreamer, his hirsute face almost hidden in a cloud of pale blue smoke. I "Yes, Annie, the races," he said, "I have 'been there all the week. I never dreamed that anything could be so exciting. I would not take thousands, for what I have seen." In fact, his fiice grew serenely solemn as he spoke, "In fact, I looked right into Heaven, so to speak, across a race-track. Wo all were silent for a time. Mother ; tried hard to say something bright, and so change the subject, but the words stopped in her throat. She may have been just a whit ' fanatical, this darling mother; but her na ture was so pure, and her lire was religion itself, of tte most orthodox Jrresbvtenan kind. Uncle Clem, too, was of the same rj faith. r $tl must rimlain " lip crtntiniipl 'Tl. will sound like idle romance, I know; but I shall wfcl relieved when I have told mv story. never dreamed of the races, Annie, when I went to S . 1 went there to test the virtue of the mineral springs. The first thing I knew I was in the mid.-t of a love affair." 'O o!'' cried mother. We all said, "O o,' too. Uncle Clem chuckled deep down in bis superb grayish brush of beard. Said he: "I perceive that my story shocks you at the outset. I fear you can never appreciate it. "Uncle Ulem, murmured Nettie, my youngest sister, slipping her arm around his deck, "Uncle Clem, what makes you so queer davY" We all laughed except Nettie. But I saw a ground of seriousness behind Uncle Clem's smiles. I had caught a breath of romance with a girl's quick intuition. A romance possessed of a forbidden, but fasicnatini flavor withal. At once I mentally resolve to have a full recital of the story at which Uncle Clem had hinted. My mother- and sisters failed to catch the spirit of the occasion. Thev saw nothing but the dreadful sin of attending the races. They would gladly have brushed aside the subject without further comment, sweeping it into the great dust-heap or unrememberable and unmcution able things forever. I could not permit this. There sat Uncle Clem, the most charming story-teller in the world, brimming over, as one might say, with fancies and con ceits, and memories born of a visit to the forbidden land, the great amusement world. Think of it! I had never been in a theater, a circus, an oDera house. The dance was a mvsterv. As for the races, they were veiled in a subdued cloud of evil, through which my eves had ; never tried to look. Uncle Clem had been there. He had something to tell. I, for one, was eager to hear. I think mother divined my thoughts; she was a shrewd as well as a pious woman. Y ith consummate tact she frustrated my suddenly formed plan by dirpctmg the conversation into other vero deightful channels, and quite soon we were all ovoua enough. Jlut 1 bided my time. vt iieu vveuiug utuie aim uiiiiier was over, 1 1 slipped into the garden with Uncle Clem, having first provided a handful of choice cigars. VV e found a comfortable seat whence we had a pretty view of the bay with all its sails, its light-house and its stony bur. The i sky was . cloudless, and full of flashing stars. A soft .. wind came up from the swashing water in long regular throbs. A mocking bird, whose cage swung in a tree near by, .sang fitfully, its clear notes cutting tar into tne slumberous night. "2iow, Uncle Clem, vou know what want," I said, fixing his feet easily on the i cushion" 1 bad brought lor them. I "Why, bless me, no, he answered, gazing (abstractedly into tne BKy,, 1 1 put my band upon bis arm. "Tell me about the races, and and " - rf nmilfvl orftvelv- stroked bis Inner (rrfl v I beard and said: ' "I was thinking of the races. In fact my brain is mil or mem ana ot a mystery con

nected therewith which haunts me like rare music or a new strange poem." There was that in his voice which trebled my curiosity and interest.

leu me all about," I said, crouching close down by his side in my girlish way. Just then my mother and sisters came along the garden walk and sat down beside us. "Puss, he said, he always called me puss,"is begging me to describe to her what I saw at the races, and I've a mind to do it. In fact ve a load on my heart which can be remov ed by a full confession, and in no other way. Another cigar. Pussie dear. A rather strange circumstance led me to the races" Mother made an impatient gesture, but I caught her hand and gently held it. Uncle Clem did not notice this. Lighting the fresh cigar I gave him, he went into his story wun a wui, speaKing tnus: My room at the D hotel, where topped in S opened upon a broad veranda which ran the entire length of the building. About midnight of last Wednes day, I awoke suffering intensely in my feet. It sometimes relieves me to walk about a little during my severest attacks, so I slipped on my clothes, and barefooted went out for a few turns on the veranda, seeing that no one was there. A broad light shone from one window; all the others were dark. As I passed this window I glanced into the room and saw what I had no right to see, but most thrilling vision it was. A young woman of queenly stature and rare beauty. richly attired sat on an ottoman, and before her knelt a rather boyish-looking youth with his hands clasped and uplifted as if praying to her. She was dark, a Southern beauty, with large, soft eyes and bright lips, a straight nose and delicately penciled brows. He was lair, vellow-haired, blue-eyed. slightly built, with an almost feminine mouth scarcely shaded by a slender mustache. I stopped, as one stops before a masters picture, and gazed fixedly, utterly unable to turn away. Clearly, distinctly the young man's words came to myvears. The voice- had in every tone an infinitude ot love, 1 knew 1 ought not to stand there looking and listening, but not for my life's sake couid I have broken the spell which Had suddenly fallen upon me. I did try to turn away, I really did, but I could not move. No doubt I was not quite myself. My feet had pained me terribly for many days and nights, robbing me of sleep and rest. Of course my nerves were exhausted and my will-power could not be great. Be this as it may, 1 stood there as it rooted to the floor. Mv approach, owing, to the condition of my feet, had been noiseless and I well knew I was unobserved. This made me feel the more guilty. Still I could do nothing but stand there and stare and listen. At the firstglimpse I wasawareth.it love's crisis had been reached by that young man, and somehow, too, as if from the inner most soul of the woman, it flashed upon me that his love was vain. How quickly his fate was sealed! A few passionate words from him, a few firm kindly sentences from her almost cruelly determined lips and all was over. He writhed to his feet and stood before her quiy ering from head to foot, and pale as death. V e part then, he said huskily. "I will leave b to-mght. I must get lar away from vou. "And who will drive the horse? Who will drive Brownboy?" she hurriedly gasped, rising as she spoke. 1 do not know or care, he replied. "It is all over with me." I saw big tears roll down the youth's cheek. Come, now, Lawrence," she said, laying her hand on his shoulder, ''vou can not be so unkind. Mv very life depends upon Brownboy winning to-morrow You will not desert me. Who can drive like you?" Let him drive," he muttered bitter ly. "Ask him to condescend to sit upon the sulky behind Brownboy for your sake. You love him." She stooped and looked closely into the youth's eyes, for she was the taller, then she too grew very pale. "Jjawrence, tawrence, vou do not mean it! You can not be so wicked. Think of all my kindness to you," she cried passionately, "I took vou from the slums and made vou"Made me love vou, and then trampled me under your feet. O, Linda, Linda, my life is ended." His voice broke and he sobbed like a little boy, The young woman grasped his shoulder and shook him impatiently. "Come, come, Lawrence, this is really child's play. I am ashamed of both of us. Let s have an end of suclva ridiculous farce and arrange for the final effort, the great race to-morrow. Bo a man, Lawrence." She looked into his . eyes again' as she spoke, but she turned away with a cloud on her face. He was as resolute as his despair was deep. "1 will never drive Brownboy again, he said, "I hwe no life, no hope, no heart for anything." He walked toward the door, but she caught bis arm and held mm. "For tleaven's sake, Lawrencel" she mur mured, her face really splendid in its pallor, her eyes burning with intense distress. "You can not, you will not desert me now in this great crisis this supreme final struggle! "Let me go, was his only answer. She held him firmly. "Sit down," she said gently, pushing him to a chair. "Sit down and listen to me. He obeyed, but a determined look, almost dogged in its fixedness, had settled on his lace. "Lawrence," said the young woman, taking a seat close to him, "1 would not have be lieved this of you. l ou know and have known all the time that I love a man whose station and age are fit for me. Ycu are a mere boy, 10 years my junior and not yet old enough to think of love. Nothing could be moie loolish than the course you are taking. fatav with me, drive Brownboy tomorrow win the race, and I will give you money to go to Italy and complete your art studies. VV ill you, Tiawrence: "Hush" he cried, springing to his feet. "liuslil 1 will not near you! VV hat do care lor money or art or anything but you u xinda, Tinda, he will never love you as have." He stretched out his arms toward her, but she put them away. His face seemed to shrivel up like a dry leaf before a hot fire. She stood up before him and trembled. Her hands were clasped and she began to weep. . "Jjinda, be said, "you do love me, you Know you do. Again he reached out his arms. She stamped her foot impatiently and ceased to cry. Her eyes flashed angrily. she dashed his arms away from bcr with violence almost amounting to fury. "No more of this, sir, I will not have an other word. It is insolence," she said, "you lorget vourselt. He let fall his hands and stared as if in blank amazement and despair. Then, a look of cold determination came into his face and he turned to the door, Sho again tried to hold him, but he shook her on and went out into the hall beyond. She buried her face in her hands and stood there swaying to and fro sobbing aloud. Xn a moment, however, she sprang to the door and thrusting ber head out into the hall, erica:

"Lawrence, Lawrence, come back, O, coma

back!" . . '-: There was no answer. bhe slowly closed the door and sank down upon the. carpet, wringing her hands and rocking back and forth. ; " ' Rut. the door was opened strain and the hastlv face of the young man appeared there. : . "Did you call me back?" he said in a low, very firm tone. She stretched up ber arms. 'O Lawrence, Lawrence, you will not de sert me! ' she cried in most piteous tones. "Never, my love, my Linda!' he said passionately, stooping as if to kiss her. she sprang to her leet, ana now mere was no mistaking her feelings. Her eyes glistened with wrath. "You oflvr, sir, " she hesitated, trem bling, then continued: "Go, sir, go, and never iet me see you again ! sue tnrusi mm trom the door and closed it. . "There now, it is ended," she muttered. What can ho mean? Mv hostler making love to me! But I might have feared it. He is a genius an artist a true gentleman and mere bov. all in one. She stood for some moments gazing at the floor. Her look of indignatiousoon changed into one of utter distress. "Who will drive Bro'.vnboy? Who will drive Brownboy?" she said over and over a train. Somehow I at length recovered my power of locomotion and, with a start, like one comnsr out of sleep, I crept away, feeling heart ily ashamed of myselt. 1 sat down on a chair and leaned upon the railing of tho veranda. inthe dim light below I saw a man walk out to the middle of the street aud stand there long while gazing up at the window, out of which the strong flare of the chandelier still brilliantly showed itself. His arms were fold ed on his breast and a cap was pulled low over his face. After awhile he walked a way. Next morning in looking over my paper at breakfast I found an item which was worded about thus: "Lawrance Walters, the trainer and driver of Brownboy the remarkable young trotting horse which will go in the race to-day, is aid to be a painter of great taste and promise. His object in following his present calling is o get enough money to enable him to hnish his ttudies. He is a strikingly handsome young fellow." jlv ears soon lniormed me that every one at the tables was speaking of Brownbor. Some thought ho would win, some that he would not. Evidently little was known as te the horse's true power, but a hint was abroad that he was a wonderful trotter, Who owns the hoss?" inquired one burly teilow of another at a table bard by. "Some oman, forget cr name, was the laconic answer. On my way from breakfast to my room I met the woman face to face. She turned her beautiful eyes on mo and I felt a tinglo of shame go all over me. You know I am not n the least sentimental, but I think she has u face as pure as any angel s and a form as perteot as that ot V enus when hrst she rose from the sea yonder. She must be a good woman and a true one. She affected me deeply. You do me wrong by smiling in that way. She did affect me deeply, because I saw how excited and distressed she was, and because 1 knew the cause of her trouble. Somehow the very fact that I had discovered her secret as well as the peculiarly touching nature of the secret itself, made me feel strangely interested in the outcome of the day's race. Her words kept ringing in mv ears "Who will drive Brown bo?" As the morning hours slipped away I began mvsett to wonder who would drive Brown boy and whether the horse would win. At 1 o clock I was sitting on the veran da watching the cabs, the hacks and omnibuses depart from tho hotel carrying passengers to the race ground. All at once there lell upon me; an uncontrollable desire to go thither also. It may seem strange to you It seems so to me. But I went siid secured me a seat about midwav'of tlie grand amphitheater and di rectly opposite the starting-point of the race Irom which 1 could see the whole ol the track, Some of the horses entered for the race were already trotting leisurely around on the smooth road, driven by rather rough-looking men, whose position on the little two-wheel ed sulkies made them appear to bo riding on the horses tails. 1 was glad to find that no one seemed to particularly notice me. All eyes were impatiently following the eccentric night ot the trotters or watching the big hell on the judge's stand, a few strokes from which would, 1 had been informed, call the horses to the starting place. All round me every where X heard voices inquiring for Brown boy. VV Inch one of the horses was the new comer, tho horse so much feared by the old turfmen present? Some one seated behind me, who spoke in the tones of ono having knowledge of his subject, said: "Brownboy will win this race. A small wager was the result. In truth a sharp skirmish of betting was kept up all through the vast audience, I vainly scanned the faces, row above row, in the amphitheater to find tne young woman, the owner of Brownboy. If she was there, I could not find her. The bell pealed out the call. . Promptly the horses were driven to the starting-place. all but Brownboy. He had not yet appeared. Had he been withdrawn? A murmur of dis satisfaction rippled through tho crowd, "crowiiDoyi tirownlioyr shouted many voices. He did not appear. It chanced that my eves, turning restlessly from placo to place, fell upon the extreme point of one horn of the amphitheater just as a tall, dark, gloriously beautiful woman arose and leaned over the front railing. She was very pale, almost like one dead, but I recog nized her at once. It was Linda, as the youth had called her; it was the owner of Brown boy. She stooped tar down to speak to a dusky negro groom who with sleeves rolled up and f'aco grimy from stable-work, ap proached her. I could not hear a word she said. In fact, I think she whispered; but her hands were clasped tightly together and her lips seemed to trame a prayer rather than a command. When she bad finished speaking the groom ran away in headlong haste. A few minutes later a burst of applause welcomed Brown boy as he came down the track at a long, swinging iror, uriven oy me young man, by Lawrence. I looked at the youth with all the keenness of mingled curiosity and sympaxnetic interest, ms lace too, wrfs very white, but his thin lips were tightly pressed together and his blue eyes gleamed, 1 thought, with the light of triumph. He stopped the norse ngnt opposite wnere the young woman stood, and flinging himself from the sulkv approached her. I saw him take off his cap and bow. The multitude cheered wildly, making the amphitheater tremble. She wrung her hands and bent over close to him. A few hurried words passed between thein and then, turning away, he leaped into the sulky. A moment later Brownboy was at his place and the bell pealed out the signal for starting. Steadily, swiftly, the line of noble animals swept down and passed before the judges' stand almost abreast. "Go!" cried some one whose business it was to give the word, and away they rushed. The track, a flat ehpse as I judged, was a half mile in length, and twice round would constitute a i "heat," which means that at the end of

mile the horses would be taken off! the track

to be rubbed and sponged before any further progress in the race could be bad. 1 watched the fleet contestants as, apparently pretty evenly matched, they whirled around the far turn and sped down tho other side. Now the line began to break up. One noble bay fellow with white feet and black mane and tail, forged ahead leaving a clear space betwen him and his foremost follower. Brownboy appeared to be going finely but well to the rear. His driver seemed to be urging him a little. "Brownboy is a bad fraud, I beard a gruff voice say loud enough to elicit a mur mur of approval and confirmation from a number of the audience. Coming down from the last turn to the point opposite the judge's stand, which distance is culled the "home stretch," the bay horse led finely with Brownboy, who had quickenedup, close behind, and so they passed the line, forging on into the latter half of the heat. Closer and closer Brownboy crent until his neck lapped past the bay horse's haunches, but not another inch could he gain. A string, high enough from the grouitd to allow the horses to pass under, had been stretched across the track from the judges' stand to the amphitheater to mark the exact out-come of each heat. The young woman, Linda, now came down from the place she had been occupying and stood on the lowest seat of the amphitheater directly underthis string. Sho leaned over the railine and when the two leading horses, the bay aud Brownboy, turned down tho home stretch, she waved her hand. Her cheeks were burning now. She was very close to me. I saw her breast rising and falling tumultuously. She trembled visibly. On came the noble bav and passed under the string a half-length ahead. "One heat lost to Brownbov and the bav hoss ha'n't begun to trot yet," said the gruff voice heretofore mentioned. There began fierce betting now. Thousands of dollars were "put up" as they term it," all around inc. Everybody seemed to bet on the horse he wished would win, without reference to actual probabilities. Alter the lapse of some minutes, during which the grooms rubbed and sponged the horses, the bell again sounded. The youth drove Brownbov slowly down to where his mistress could reach his arching neck, and Etroke his flowing mane. "Lawrence, can he win? 1 heard her ask. I think my ears were so accute that they caught what no one else could hear. "I don't know," replied the young man, "whether be can or not. That bay horse is a wonderful trotter," "Make him win, and you shall be rich, she murmured. "Say that again and I will leave the race at once!" he hissed fiercely. She stretched out her hands a little and gazed at him so helplessly that his heart flamed with tender yearnings. I saw it in his eyes, his brow, bis cheeks. He softened at once, and leaned toward her till their faces almost touched. "If you will not love me, Linda, so be it, but I will win this race for your sake, and tor the sake of my wild love lor vour I can scarcely sav 1 heard these words. But his lips fashioned them so perfectly that it needed no sound no voice to bear them to me. He turned and drove to the starting-place "She inav coach her driver all she pleases. but her hoss '11 lose the race all the same," growled the ruffian behind me. Again the bell rang for the start. The young woman kept her place by Hie railing under the string, her eyes steadily fixed in the direction of Brownbov. I saw the youth pull his cap well down over his forehead and gather up the lines resolutely. On came the horses, all abreast, flying under the string with an even start. It was easy to see that this heat would be an exposition of the power of those sunerb animals. Ihcy knew thi as well as their drivers and the onlookers. It flashed from their eyes, it quivered in their nostrils, it played in the straining muscles and vibrating tendons of their limbs. The bav led again with Brownboy crowding close at his flank. The slower horses lell far behind, all unnoticed by the straining eyes ot tho multitude. A tall man, elegantly dressed withadccided foreign air, now took a place close beside the voung woman at the railing. He was handsome, evidently high-bred, and bv the blonde side-whiskers and a certain self-satisfied mannerism in his bear ing, I felt sure he was an Englishman. He leaned carelessly on his cane watching the rushing horses with eves as calm and cool as an evening sky in oeptcniber. He was A.in da's other and fortunate lover. I knew this at once. A worthy looking lover he seemed to me, strong, manly, handsome, distinguri The bay and Brownboy came down tne home stretch and passed under the string just as they had started, the bay slightly ahead. As they were going bv, the youn woman leaned far out and cried: "For my sake, Lawrence!" T he driver nodded. "Go, Brownboy, go, for my sake, go! she fairly shrieked. The noble horse heard the voice and all eyes saw his back settle lower down and his powerful limbs Wgin to reach further and strike more rapidly. The strong bay knew in an instant that be must increase his cllort or lose. .How they did trot! The sound of their feet was like thunder. The sulky wheels spun like tops. Side by side they flew until again they turned down the final stretch. I hope I may never again be so excited. Cold beads of sweat stood on my forehead I trembled my breathing was short and quick. Suddenly, while the horses were plunging side bv side down the home stretch, I saw Lawrence lean forward over the haunches of Brownboy and begin to pat him tenderly. As if impelled by some new power tho horse put on a burst of speed absolutely frightful to see. He swept ahead of the bay and passed under the string far in the lead. As he went by I plainly heard Lawrence; who still leaned over him, murmuring: "For the sake of Linda, Brownboy, for tho sake of Linda. Brownboy. Those whirling feet smote the earth w:ih such power that it seemed to Bpin away from their heels. There was a gleam of irresistible energy in those straining eyes. The young woman grew palid as death and reeled away from the railing. The Englishman supported ber. The amphithea ter was shaken bv a tempest of applause. Brownboy won the next heat and the next in the shortest time ever recorded to a horse under seven years old." Uncle Clem's story ended here. We bade him finish it; but he declared that nothing remained to bo told. With the end of the race his knowledgo of Brownboy, his driver, Linda and the noble-looking Englishman suddenly ceased. "But vour glimpse of Heaven across race-track, where did that como in?" Mid mother. "It was a glimpse of true love," replied Uncle Clem, "and Heaven is love." Don't deceive yourselves. "Dr. Sellers' Coueh 8yrup" for the cure of colds and eoughs has no equal. Sold by druggists at 25 cents.

, ON FIRE IN MID-OC BAN.

Thrilling Experience of the Passengers en the Stramer Moeel The Ship Burning and the Officers Persistently Betlcent Gallantry of the Captain and Crew. New York Herald. "I can dell you codings about it," said the first officer of the steamship Mosel yesterday to a Herald reporter. "The captain ia ashore, and be said to me say nodiogs to nobody, and I can say no more." The Mosel had just arrived at ber dock at Hoboken, and the reporter' inquiries were directed to the particulars ot the fire on board the steamer on the 3d inst Some of the passengers were still engaged in getting their luggage ashore, and as the captain could not be found, and the first officer's month was closed by the orders of his superior, the reporter interrogated the most intelligent looking of those that he could find. .. "He would tell you nothing, eh?" the pasenger said, eyeing the rubicund official. "Well, that is the way they treated us at the time of the fire. It occurred on the 3d Inst., in the morning. About 8 o'clock it was rumored that there was a fire on board. There bad been v.o announcement made that such was the case, and many of as doubted the truth of the report. When the officers were questioned in regard to it, they gave evasive answers and made light of the matter. When the fact could no longer be concealed they said it was an affair ot no consequence, and that the captain was siready attending to it We might have known nothing about it in the beginning out ior me noise maae oy tne pumps ana the smoke which issued from one of the forward batches. It was plain to all that there was a fire in one of the freight compartments of the vessel, but, In spite of the evidences or our own senses, tbe officers would give us no information. I be gangways and pas sage!-, and even the cabins were flooded with water. Lven tbe women who were suffer ing from seasickness were compelled to leave their berths. ALMOST A rAKIC. "Some of the eteeraee Tasseneera came on tbe quarter-deck with their wives and children, and the alarm was becoming general. Tbe rumors were of the most contradictory character, and the only wonder is that the alarm did not degenerate into a panic. The extent of the fire could not be learned, and it was said, among other things, that the smoke was so dense as to hinder all approach to it ana prevent eirectuai worx in ex tinguishing it. This proved to be true, and the workers were repeatedly repulsed by tbe smoEe in tneir enorts to get at tne nnues." "Ana through all tbis there was not a word of assurance or warning to tbe pas sengers?" the reporter asked. Not a word, except when tbe life boats were made clear, and then we were told it was only a prudential measure. We feared. however, that the danger was greater tban the officers affected to believe all felt in stinctively that they should be prepared for tbe worst The utmost order and decorum prevailed.There were no waitings of distress; no aimless rushings to and fro in search of a place of safety; no cries even from the many women and children on board. This fortu nate condition may have resulted from tbe fact that no official signals of distress bad as yet been given, and in that case the action of the officers of the Mosel was wise, or it may have been caused bv the feeling cf confidence tbe passengers bad in the capaci ty and extreme caution of Captain Keynaber, qualities that have made his ncme proverbial among such as had sailed with him la the past FIGHTING TnE FLAMES. The report then came that the captain. amid steam and smoke, in a position scarcely to be endured physically, and to the wonder ana encouragement of bis crew, was person ally conducting the wort sgainst the tire, The smoke was still pouring from the hatch way forward, and some time later a brisk flame was seen to issue from one of the ven tilators. Tbe vessel was turned before the wind, but still no word of advice or encour agement, no information as to our actual condition came from tbe captain himself. An ominous and unbroken silence prevailed, and even when we spoke to each other our words were uttered In whispers. Thus matters remained for some time, but suddenly. while all were waiting anxiously for some official announcement, a man's voice, strong and clear, rang out the welcome words, 'The captain bids me.ssy there is no further dan ter.' 1 1 is statement was received with a hurrah that came from a hundred throats. Tbe announcement brought relief to many until then sorely afflicted hearts. After this the passengers, who, in spite of tbe falling rain bad remained on deck, gradually withdrew to their cabins, although some doubted still the full force of the good news. About 12 o'clock the captain, exhausted, his clothing wet and torn, tbe perspiration still stream Ine down his weather-beaten face, appeared among tbe passengers with a bundle of black sewing silk in bis hand, and said: 'Ladies and gentlemen, the danger is past We found the seat and origin of tbe fire in the center of the freight taken on at Southamp ton. It was fortunate that tbe goods con. siated mainly of silk like this, which does not give an active llama, Ba assured that the fire ia out' IK SAFETY. "The effect of this announcement upon the passengers can better be imagined tban described. Never were gladder - tidings spoken, and tney were received by all their deliverance from the great danger which bad been threatened. The working of tne pumps had ceased, tbe propeller be gan to move, and tbe Mosel was again on ber regular course. Now tbe passengers gradually retired to rest confident of tbeir safety, and, on awakening tbe following morning, found the good sbip in mnca tbe same condition as it nothing unusual bad occurred." "Did you learn how tbe fire originated?" tbe reported aaker. "No. we did not. It is not clear what caused it but we all congratulated ourselves that it was so soon discovered, and so speed ily brought under control. When the dsn ger had passed tbe passengers held a meet ing, and returned thanks to tbe officers and crew for their gallantry and devotion. VV i agreed upon a statement of facts for publi cation, which is substantially the same as that which I bays given yon. Of course. feel bound to tell you nothing, except what is contained in that statement with which the captain is particularly pleased." "And that is tbe reason, I presume, he ha? ordered that no other shall ba made? "I suppose so." - Sad End of a Brilliant Career On of tbe Staff of JeflTeraon Davia. New York Star. Four months ago Colonel George F. Wat son arrived in jersey :ity from tne boutb and engaged a suite of rooms at tbe Phila delphia Hotel, -bis personal addrets and the letters of credence which he held in bis possession entitled him to re spect and consideration. Among the documents was bis appointment from tbe governor of the State of Mississippi, as commissioner to the proposed World's Fair. Yesterday, after taking his usual walk, be entered the billiard room of the hotel, and seated himself in a chair. Believing him to be asleep, the players at the conclusion of their games left the room, taking no further notice of him. One of the attaches of tbe hotel afterward entered the saloon and saluted Colonel Watson, but receiving no recognition, he approached the supposed sleeper, and found that be was dead. At the colonel was a general favorite In the hotel, tbe announcement of his death caused deep regret His body was conveyed to bis room, and received all requisite attention. George f. Watson was born In tbe city of New York in 1819. His father waa Hon. Alexander Watson, at one time member of the fttato Legislature, and

leadirg lawyer. In the year 1840

be went South and engaged in. tbe drygoods business in Mobile, Ala. He was remarkably successful, and a abort time afterward purchased one of tbe most valuable plantations on the Alabama river, at Clifton landing. He enjoyed the confidence) of the community to such an extent that he was elected to prominent positions in both tne uotton J-.xcbange and Board of Trade in Mobile. At the breaking out of the rebellion he not only offered his own services to the cause of the South, but sacrificed his fortune. Jefferson Davis ap pointed Mr. Watson staff colonel, and with Davis be served through the entire rebellion. At tbe close ot tbe war Colonel Watson removed to Jackson, Miss., where he engaged in the cotton business extensively, and finally became the leading spirit of tbe New Orleans cotton exceange. Here be remained until four months ago.when.being appointed administrator of a valuable estate belong ing to bis uncle, be removed with bis wife and daughter to the North. Subsequently bis family went to Canada to spend the summer. They were expected back within a few days. In addition to bis work of administrator, the duties of commissioner to the proposed world's fair occupied his time. Colonel Watson has for some time been la a melancholy frame of mind, and often sought refuge in strong drink. To overcome this drsire, be has of late been in the haolt of taking drugs, and it ia thought that while in a despondent mood he took an overdose. Colonel Wataoa has an aged mother living in Plalnfield, N. County fbyaician Converse, of Jersey City, was notified of Mr. Watson's death, and be ordered the body taken to the morgue, where an investigation into the cir cumstances of the death, as well as a post mortem examination into tbe cause, will take place this morning. SOCIETY SENSATION. Newspaper Slanderer In Court His Abject and Frnltleos Apologiee. lew York Herald Cable Special.) Loxdon, Oot 15. Adolph Rosenberg, edi tor aud publisher of the society paper. Town Talk, who was arrested early last Saturday morning by Detective Clutter on a charge of libel preferred against him by tbe celebrated beauty, Mrs. Langtry, and also by Mrs. Cornwallis West appeared this morning in tbe Guildhall police court He came out of tbe cell, and looked very dejected. He bad been unable to obtain a bondsman for 2.000, tbe sum fixed by the court for his bail when arraigned. Tbe attendance to-day was very large. Mr. Edward Lewis, the counsel for the Insulted Mrs. West who, at the preliminary hearing of the case last Saturday, alluded to tbe libels for which the prisoner was arrested as the "vilest and filthiest Ilea on record," waa present while Mr. Montagu Williams repre sented Mra. Langtry. The defendant was represented by Mr. Beard. Tbe complainant wai called upon for his answer to the charge with which be was accused, viz: of publishing an article on Saturday, the 4th of this month, entitled. Mrs. West at Home:" also, publishing tbe announcement that Mr. Langtry was about endeavoring to obtain a divorce from hi wife, and that bis royal highness, the I'rtnoe of Wales, and other individuals, are men tioned as co-respondents; farther, that tbe petition in the divorce suit could be seen at. Somerset House. The preliminaries being disposed of, the prisoner made an abject apology to the onendea parties, regretting mat ne snouia indirectly have been the cause of annoyance to estimable ladies. He pleaded ignorance of the writing in question about Mrs. Lang try s divorce, ana gave tbe name of the journalist who bad written the paragraphs. He went on to state that ne em ploy ea a detective to search the divorce records, and it was undoubtedly on the detective's report that the allusion to tbe petition had been presented. He denied that there was any aaalice in what bad been recorded in bia paper, the supposed facts being given as bona tide news, owing to tbe tnatttr having become town talk. It was impossible for him to find the detective. He was, however, now present In reply to a question made to the pria. oner as to the terms of payment existing between him and the writer of the paragraph concerning Mrs. Langtry's divorce, be replied, "The question of paymeot waa to have been settled when tbe writer wrote out his short hand notes of tbe divorce petition to Sir Jsmes Hannan." Kosenberg then made another apology to both ladies and their families, and begged tbe court to reduce his bail, as be was suffering from illness and great mental depression. Mr. Montagu William then rose, and ia sarcastic terms protested against tbe reduction of Rosenberg's bail, and he rehearsed tbe prisoner's cowardly, cruel and wanton attacks on his client and concluded by saying that be thought the atmosphere of Newgate would be most salubrious for tbe prisoner, and Surgeon Gibson, of that place, would give every requisite consideration to his case. These remarks produced loud laughter in court Tbe prisoner was then committed for trial at the Sessions, the bail remaining the same as before. A Care for ConimanlHia, (Post-Dispatch. If every man in France bad a borne, there would be no Communists in France. If every man in Germany bad a boma there would be no Socialists in Germany. The same applies to England and every other country. Wbere a man has something that be can call his own, be desires its protection. When be improves it be is working for himself. The independence of human nature calls for tbe possession of something that is real and permanent The man who has a home of bis own is a king to a certain degree; the man who has not is a slave to a certain degree. Those who owned Pans would never have pulled down the Column Vendome, or burned and sacked tbe Hotel de Viile, or ravaged the art balls of the Tuille- . riea. It is tbe homeless rabble that seeks to pull down and destroy a city. Perhaps there will never be a country in which every man will have a home, but this is a country in which every man may have a home. There are no barriers here to the possession of real property except such as any man may overcome. Tbis is why Communism . and Socialism can never become strong erough in this country to excite grave apprehensions. But it is not so in the old monarchical countries of Europe. There the oid feudal system still asserts itselt The lands are held by a few in vast estates, and the mass of the people can never be more than tenants. An artisan, a farmer, an honest bard working man of any kind may labor all hi life, and save bis earnings, and yet probably never become tbe possessor of any real property. This is humiliating and demoralizing, making the few masters of the many. A farming community is the safest community in tbe world. Audwhjf Because every man is a lord and master tbe possessor and controller of interests that he desires to preserve. But ours ia tbe farmers republic, and a country in which the majority of the people own land and bouses and homes and property generally need not fear communism. Bow to Preserve Antntnn Leaves. An exchange says that a lady subscriber furnishes the following method of preserring autuma leaves, which will be of interest to leave gatherers: "Spread the fresh leaves and press them in a suitable dish with alternate layers of fine sand, which is thoroughly dry and as hot at the band can bear. When the sand bss cooled they may be removed, smoothed nnder a hot Iron, dipped for a moment in clear French spirit varnish, and allowed to dry in tbe air." A shrewd Yankee has Invented a patent ice cream freeser, -which be calls the "Charles Francis Adatua." .